It was for this very reason that John Nguyen and a group student leaders who were all tired of attending leadership conferences with the same adult speakers, disenchanted with the bureaucracy of high school clubs, and fed up with only wishing they were involved in something more influential formed an organization dedicated to the proposition that high school students can be a powerful force for positive change in their communities today!
We’ve been developing and pursuing our vision and mission over the past few years, and we are very excited about this year’s program. We believe that this year’s program will not only entice and excite high school students about leadership, it will also forge lasting relationships between our members and members of the community. Just check out some of the events we have planned for this year’s program.
Information Session
At this event, interested members will be able to attain more knowledge on our program for the 08-09 YLA year. Our board members will give a quick overview to the events going on this year. Also, prospective members can meet others that are interested in joining the program as well.
Alumni BBQ
In YLA, we believe in using all the sources we can obtain. One of the greatest things we can provide to our members is our YLA Alumni’s. At this BBQ, interested members can come out and speak with those who have already gone through our program. They can ask them about their knowledge with the program, socialize and have a hotdog or two.
Kick-off
This is the first official event, kicking off the 08-09 YLA year. Accepted associates will be given information on everything they would need to know for the year. Also, they will be able to meet others who have made it into our program.
Disney Leadership Training
We promised personal and leadership development, and that’s what we plan to deliver, except we won’t actually be training our members. Thanks to the Disneyland Resort, assocaites will be attending a professional training session. This special session, usually given to all new employees for Disney, will be exclusivly to our associates, preparing them for the professional world.
Mentor Rotation
We have gathered a wide variety of members of successful members around our communities, and they will be joining us on a very special day. Associates will be given the chance to meet these very special members of our community and gain inside knowledge on how they got to where they are today. In the end, members will be allowed to choose a couple of these representatives, and have them as their own mentor! They can keep in touch with them, and ask them for help or opinion later on in their careers.
Public Speaking
Everyone gets stage freight every once in a while, it’s completely normal. After associates attend this event, they will be able to get a bigger grasp on the “do’s” and “don’ts” on stage. This will allow associates see what they are doing wrong and what they are doing right on stage. Giving them this insight, will defiantly help boost up their confidence when it comes to speaking in front of a crowd.
Job Shadowing at Hilton Hotel
Associates will be given this very special chance to job shadow at the world renowned Hilton Hotel. For several hours, members can work with manager of various departments around the hotel. For instance, we work with the culinary department, security, house keeping department, fitness departments and much more. It is an exciting event and allows associates to see how the hotel is kept so glamorous.
Disney Formal Etiquette Dinner
If you like to eat then you’ll definitely like this event! This isn’t just free food we’re talking about, this is free food that you need three forks and spoons to eat. If you’ve never been seated with more forks than fingers or if you have and didn’t know which to use when, you’re in luck. The people at the Disneyland Resort know how to cook up a storm and how to teach all of us to dine in style. The focus here is learning the formal dinner etiquette you will need as you go on to become successful leaders!
College Campus Tours
The problem with college tours is that they show you the buildings and not the people. While some schools have very impressive people, we recommend selecting a university based on more substantial things than the hue of the school’s bricks. We’re tapping into our extensive alumni network to bring you a college tour like no other. You’ll sit in classes, eat in dining halls, hang out with some college students, and meet professors.
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- “YLA is a youth program unlike any other. The program was originally created as an umbrella organization to connect previous existing youth based organizations. Today YLA is the premier youth organization in the Anaheim community because it attracts the community's best young leaders and returns service where help is most needed.”
Ryan Smeets, Co-founder; Vice-President of Development, Youth Leadership America 2006-2007. In addition to being ASB President of Loara High School and an Eagle Scout, Ryan also had the distinct honor of serving as a Congressional Page for the United States House of Representatives, 107th Congress. He went on to graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles where we served as the Financial Supports Commissioner 2006. Ryan works as a Consultant for Hitachi Consulting.
- “In the three years I've been in YLA's comprehensive program, I've seen myself transform from being timid and shy into a more confident and ambitious person. Not only did YLA mold me into a strong leader and help me hone my public speaking skills, I've met influential business leaders and made friends with other high school students in the district while serving the community all the same.”
Michelle Chang, President, Youth Board 2006-2007; Member, Youth Board ’05-’06; Member, ’04-’05.
- “YLA has been my guide in high school to help me become the outgoing and confident person I never thought possible. Now, I feel excited to meet new people and am eager to offer them a hand to introduce myself. YLA has been, and still is, a toolbox that has provided me with everything I need. Whether it's a way for me to improve my public speaking or just an event to have fun with friends, YLA gave it all. I know even though I'm leaving for college, I'll always remember the valuable memories from YLA and come back to visit whenever I'm around.”
Brian Yum, Youth Board Member, 2005-2007; Member, ´04-´05.
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