This July, our YMCA teen leaders made a powerful impact on the national stage, representing our community with passion, purpose, and pride at three major leadership events.
- Conference on National Affairs (CONA)
Earlier this month, Layla, Nathan, and Shannon traveled to Appalachian State University in North Carolina for the prestigious Conference on National Affairs, where over 700 Youth & Government delegates from across the country gathered to debate and present proposals for nationwide change. Among the 25 students representing New York, our teens advocated for critical issues, including improved testing for drinking water in public schools and fair wages for incarcerated individuals performing labor. Their voices and leadership were a proud reflection of the values we cultivate in our Y programs.
- YMCA Northeast Leaders School
Last week, five of our teens, Shannon and Alex, attended the YMCA Northeast Leaders School at Springfield College, engaging in intensive leadership development and team-building experiences. A special congratulations goes to Ryan Kolisz, who was honored with the Ginny Robinson Spirit Award. This distinguished award is given to one leader annually who most exemplifies the spirit of the Leaders program by exhibiting a strong sense of community and qualities that exemplify the mission of the YMCA Northeast Leaders School.
- National Judicial Conference
This week, five of our teens are in Minnesota participating in the National Judicial Conference with the YMCA Youth and Government Alliance. They’ll spend the week immersed in mock trial and legal workshops, further developing their public speaking, critical thinking, and civic engagement skills on a national platform.
These summer opportunities showcase the transformative impact of YMCA teen programs — developing confident, thoughtful, and engaged young leaders ready to shape the future.
