Florida Youth Leadership Forum

• YLF Volunteers
• Important Dates
• YLF Leadership Team
• Alumni Spotlight
• YLF Alumni Survey
• Florida Youth Council

Alumni Corner

Alumni Spotlight

Alicia

After attending Florida's 2004 Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) in Tallahassee, Alicia had a new sense of confidence and a better understanding of how to achieve her goals despite having cerebral palsy.

One the most important goals to the Armwood High School student was graduating on time and getting into the University of South Florida in Tampa, next year.

Her disability has never stopped her from being ambitious or involved in extracurricular activities like the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and her church's youth group, but after the 2004 YLF she stepped up her involvement. She ran and was selected for her school's homecoming court and also joined the drama club.

"YLF taught me that even though I have a disability, I can do anything the other students at my school can do,'' Alicia said.

"Even though we have disabilities we have options," she explained. "Schools provide all kinds of aid and are willing to adapt to our needs. You just have to advocate for your needs. I want to share that with other students with disabilities."

For Alicia the most important lesson, and one she hopes to share with the new delegates as she returns as a junior staff for YLF, is that despite their disabilities they can go to college.

Ashley

Attending the 2004 Florida Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) in Tallahassee gave Ashley the experiences and confidence to overcome her disabilities and strive for her goals, like attending college.

Of being selected as a 2005 YLF junior staff member Ashley said, "I want to help other people go through the same experiences I did. I want to take the skills that I learned and use it to help the new delegates."

Despite having mild cerebral palsy, Ashley has learned to be successful in school by adapting the environment to her needs. Because she has poor vision, Ashley has asked her teachers to place her at the head of the class so that she can see the teacher's instructions on the chalk board more easily. At other times she will ask her classmates to read things to her aloud so that she can better understand and has asked her instructors for extra time to complete assignments and tests.

She credits her experiences at YLF with changing her life and giving her the confidence to pursue goals that once seemed impossible. Now, as a junior staff member, she wants to share her knowledge and experience with other students with disabilities at this year's YLF.

Ashley, who graduated in June 2005, was involved in her school's color guard for four years. She attends Santa Fe Community College and plans to transfer to a major university where she will study elementary education for the deaf.

"I figure my job at YLF this summer will help me to see if I like working with kids," she explained.

Danielle

Attending Florida's 2004 Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) encouraged Danielle to become a leader. The Everglades High School graduate was selected to return to the State Capitol as a 2005 YLF junior staff member to serve as a role model for other students with disabilities.

"I wouldn't have dreamed of doing this a year ago,'' Danielle said. "But after attending YLF I have the confidence and leadership skills it takes to be a strong voice for kids just like me!"

Born with cerebral palsy, Danielle underwent eight surgeries as a child and has to use a walker to help her get around. Her disability hasn't slowed her down, and Danielle plans on sharing her energy and ambitions with other students with disabilities as a junior staff member during the 2005 Youth Leadership Forum.

Danielle now attends Miami Dade College and majors in Special Education. Her goal is to become a teacher and eventually an ESE administrator. She says YLF helped her prepare for life after high school, and she wants to share her experiences with others.

"I've learned self-advocacy and how to deal with social issues," she said. "I get what I need, I know how to be open and I know how to respond to people's questions about my disability. I'm going to be a role model for others."

Marcel

Attending the Florida Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) in Tallahassee last year gave and Marcel the experiences and confidence to overcome his disability and strive for his goals, like attending college. Marcel, who has dyslexia, has utilized the skills he learned at the 2004 YLF to take a more active role in his school's student government. By working with his teachers to maintain his focus and understand the curriculum, he is on track to receive his diploma on time despite his disability.

He credits his experiences at YLF with changing his life and giving him the confidence to pursue goals that once seemed impossible.

"YLF made me realize I can do something - anything - against all odds," Marcel said. "I learned to be an advocate for myself."

The lessons he learned at YLF gave Marcel the confidence to reach out to college administrators to find out more about what kinds of courses and special programs they offer for students with disabilities.

Marcel, who also plans on attending college after he graduates, wants to be an engineer, a scientist or a doctor. In his free time he enjoys running track and cross country, playing basketball, and working with the technology and building club, SECME. He recently built a remote control car out of paper.

"I like to build things,'' Marcel said. "All I need is a remote chip and a control and I can build anything."