By Landee Kieschnick
TFB Communications Intern
A growing Texas needs strong leadership, combined with passion and united voices. All that can stem from leadership training like the Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) Youth Leadership Conference (YLC).
High school students have the opportunity to build and strengthen their leadership skills, boost self-confidence and work diligently with their peers.
The annual conference is set for June 12-16 at Tarleton State University in Stephenville. Students entering their junior or senior year of high school as of August 2017 are eligible to attend.
“Students who attend the Youth Leadership Conference learn life lessons and tools that are essential for their future careers. Not only are we helping grow leaders, but we are planting a seed for their education,” TFB Director of Urban Relations and Youth Activities Mia Balko said.
The weeklong conference introduces youth to constitutional government and the free enterprise system, the solid foundation on which the U.S. was built.
The road to excellence and leadership requires true commitment. YLC offers a unique opportunity to engage in patriotism, responsibility and professionalism.
“Texas agriculture depends on the next generation of advocates, leaders and entrepreneurs. They’ll get their start at the Youth Leadership Conference by expanding their knowledge and network,” Balko said. “We engage them in goal-setting activities, public speaking training and build a confidence in them and their abilities.”
Breakout sessions will discuss the basics of free enterprise, managing money, presentations, professionalism and the background of the American Constitution.
“Youth Leadership Conference gave me a sense of responsibility for leading a team with different cultures, ideas and backgrounds, and to come together and work as a team and develop business plans to be successful,” Landry Vieth, 2016 YLC junior counselor, said.
For more than 50 years, YLC has brought hundreds of students together from all across the Lone Star State, creating lifelong friendships and developing future leaders.
“The skill sets students learn at YLC can be used in their classrooms as they finish high school, through college and as they pursue their professional careers,” Balko said.
All students who attend the conference are eligible to apply for college scholarships and participate in the Free Enterprise Speech contest in the fall, provided their parents are members of TFB. Each district winner will receive a $1,500 scholarship.
Each county Farm Bureau can sponsor three students to attend by paying for the student’s room and board, registration, meals and conference materials.
Applications are available at county Farm Bureau offices and are due by May 1.
For more information on YLC, contact your county Farm Bureau office or Balko at mbalko@txfb.org or 254-399-5037.