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Youth Participant Feedback:
2005 and 2006
Leader in Youth Program
“At first I was like, 'this isn't anything, they're not going to understand (me),' but in the program I had people with the same problems and I felt like I belonged there. I was kind of a follower, wanted to do whatever everyone else wanted to do but now I understand that once you can back away and do what you do best, you can be successful."
--Jose, Wilson High School
“The panelists had really good experiences (to share) and they gave me the drive I needed. At first my heart wasn't set on college but when we talked about how it can better you in life, it made me want to stay focused, go to college and succeed."
--Ariana, Cesar Chavez Public Charter School
“The Leader in Youth Program exceeded my expectations. I was pleased when I found out that Tony was our teacher and he
taught this class to many older and successful people and he was providing us the same course…I plan to live my life differently because of the leadership lessons I learned in the program. I plan to choose a field in medicine I really love so I won’t be bored or miserable like some of the panelists were before they found the right field of their choice. I plan to live my life with balance so I won’t just be doing good with one area and not the other, for example doing great at work and neglecting my family and/or partner. I also want to be a person who is successful, happy,
and a person who betters the society we live in….The most important lessons about leadership I learned in this program is about having passion for what you believe in, respecting your
group of people you are leading, and that I as a leader reflect those who I am leading."
--David Oluwo, Junior
“I loved the program. The Leader in Youth Program has affected the way I look at what I want to do in my career. I learned that whatever I do I should always be happy. Because of what I learned in the program I plan to help others, be open minded and stay true to myself and others."
-- Donnell, Enterprise High School
“I liked how the adults involved us in every way possible, discussion, examples, and group projects. Primarily everything is based on the youth not so much what the adults think and feel…..The Leader in Youth Program wasn’t what I expected, I thought it would be boring and nothing but adults telling teenagers about their boring lonely work life and habits, but I was wrong the program allowed the adults and the youth to be open and share experiences and problems without just always taking the spot and speaking for youth like they know how we feel.”
-- Ashley Mickens, Junior
“The Leader in Youth Program has changed the way I look at going to college because at first I was not interested in college a lot but now I realized I have a lot of goals that I want to accomplish; college is my first. My life is going to change starting today because I now know what it takes to be a leader. Now I believe that hard work really pays off. ”
-- Walter, Cesar Chavez Public Charter School
“The leadership program has been very helpful because it tells us that people in our area actually have a chance to do amazing things in the future. The teachers are very nice and helpful. I wish next year that other students could experience the thrill of going to college and learning new things.”
--Sahar, Hammond Middle School
One of the first things I learned, which really hit me was it’s not about what you’ve done in life, but your passion. And that’s what colleges look for in essays and application forms….The Leader in Youth Program met my expectations because I learned a lot, and I have tried some of the skills taught, and so far they work….The program has affected the way I look at college, because now I have the confidence that I can be a leader, and pursue the career I want to follow.
All the panelists were great! And Tony Silard is awesome! I plan to use the leadership skills to help out my parents. And, especially to help others become leaders themselves, by inspiring, and sharing the leadership skills I have learned.”
--Claudia Diaz, Sophomore
“The Leader in Youth Program has affected the way I look at going to college! Things now aren’t about getting into college for a greater education and path to a good job and money. Of course, those things are good. But now it’s also about happiness and what I can do in college to become a greater person and even better future leader.
One of the most important lessons I learned about leadership was the use of passion. It’s one of my goals to help those who lack human rights, and this passion could help me express my views. This program has affected the way I look at my career. I want to be a journalist when I grow up. Now I know my writing skills can benefit others by integrating what I have learned here to instill in them the power to be a leader and express what they are capable of….This program has also taught me about how the people around me influence my life and maybe I should make new friends (without abandoning my old ones) who can better my chances to reach the career of my choice.”
--Sandra Jacinto, Junior
“What I liked most about the Leader in Youth Program is that they (the panelists) really cared about us and wanted us to be leaders now and in the future.”
--David, HD Woodson High School
“I love The Leader in Youth Program. The aspects of the program which I liked most were the panelists. Being able to see so many different successful adults with different experiences helped me form my own definition of success and happiness….This program taught me the importance of purpose and how it will make me different. By having a purpose I will prevent myself from wasting time in professions I don’t like….This program also felt like it
was an anger management program because I learned how to manage my anger and minimize frustration and stress….Time management: I have learned tricks of the trade on how to effectively manage my time. Since this class I have been procrastinating a lot less. I now plan on using my time more
wisely.
After attending The Leader in Youth Program I can no
longer see myself as average. I now resent the word average.
I feel
as if I can conquer any obstacle through skills which I have learned. Most importantly I realized my potential of being a
leader. I now know that I am a leader and this program
has made me confident in it."
-- Sarah Ghirmay, Junior
“I learned some beneficial and effective qualities of an active leader, one with more than just potential. I learned many
strategies of time management, and not only has it helped me with my college preparation, work and school, but it has become a lifestyle. I have come up with a Vision Statement and an
Action Plan that I should have created a long time ago, because now I feel I have something to move towards.
I liked the instructor and his methods. We were coached by a Harvard graduate
and thought the course would be monotonous. However, the activity – the hands-on examples and activities made the class’ quality strong. The Leader in Youth Program has definitely affected the way I look at going to college. I was one of the seniors in the course, so I am lucky to have taken this class at the time I did. The principles I can live by forever and the panelists’ comments
and the strategies they shared enlightened me and made me think ahead. Because of the leadership program, I plan on planning. I gained self-confidence to show off my empathy and passion. Conclusively, the entire program and its lessons were
effective and life-long."
-- Chanel Neal, Senior
“The Leader in Youth Program made me realize that just
because you go to college does not mean you’re going to make money. Also that you have to be very passionate about your choice of career, it’s not all about the money! I will apply these lessons to my life by never giving up, achieving my goals, standing up for what I believe in, and the most important of all being passionate about the career I choose.”
-- Deja Cousey, Sophomore
“This program has helped me in a lot of things. To be a good
leader is more than what you think. To be a leader is to set an example. I think it has been nice of them to have us participate
in this group.”
--Alusine, Hammond Middle School
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