By Jennifer Dorsett
Field Editor
What sets great leaders apart from everyone else?
Through Texas Farm Bureau’s (TFB) Youth Leadership Conference (YLC), incoming high school juniors and seniors participate in a variety of activities to help answer that question.
“YLC is one of our organization’s most important events each year, because during that week, we just really focus on the students and work with them to help them reach their full potential,” Mia Balko, TFB director of Youth Outreach, said. “It’s an invaluable experience for the kids who get to attend.”
The weeklong conference, set for June 8-12 at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, focuses on the free enterprise system, constitutional government, patriotism, goal-setting activities and leadership skills.
Through group projects and activities, students gain a deeper understanding of these concepts and develop personal skills that put them on the path to future success.
And it’s fun.
Attendees experience life on a college campus, establish lifelong friendships with other high school students from around Texas and grow their self-confidence.
“We hear it from the students who’ve attended over and over,” Balko said. “So many of them come back to us and say ‘YLC changed my life! I used to be so shy, but now I’m not,’ or ‘I used to be uncomfortable with public speaking, but now I feel prepared and confident.’ And we watch it happen over that week. You can see them change throughout the process. Without a doubt, YLC influences our youth to become leaders in their chosen fields and throughout the rest of their lives.”
High school students are selected by county Farm Bureaus. Transportation, rooms, meals and a small tuition fee are financed by the sponsoring county Farm Bureaus.
YLC attendance is the first step for students to participate in the Free Enterprise Speech Contest, in which students compete for scholarships.
Click here to register for YLC.
Visit https://texasfarmbureau.org/youth/youth-opportunities/ for more information and directions to complete the application process.
The deadline to apply is May 4.
Selected students will be notified by their county Farm Bureau.
“I would absolutely recommend every student who’s interested to apply as soon as possible.” Balko said. “I’d like to wish them all good luck and am looking forward to meeting our next group of future leaders this summer!”