Nepal June: Meet your Alum Leaders!

Hey Nepal June team members! We are excited to start the 2016-2017 Service Year with you. We know you met your Team Leader and Assistant Team Leader at General Orientation (pssst …  read more about them here). We also want to make sure you’re familiar with the awesome Alum Leaders on your team!

Alum Leaders are another link in the chain of command on a Youthlinc team. They serve as role models for student participants, specialize in creating a positive atmosphere for their team locally and internationally, work in partnership with mentors to oversee students in their appointed committees, and help Youthlinc instill a lifetime service ethic in young people. These individuals will be great resources for you throughout the year!

“My name is Karen Bennett, and I am a senior at East high school. I participated in the Youthlinc service year last year; I volunteered with Real Life, and went to Kenya. I got involved with Youthlinc because I really love their mission of creating lifetime humanitarians. I was apprehensive about going on a humanitarian trip in high school because it felt like something high school students do to put on college applications. My involvement with Youthlinc has shown me that in order to truly experience a humanitarian trip, one must already be a humanitarian. The skills and experiences I had and continue to have as I volunteer locally prepare me for my international trip, and help me to gain the most from that experience. More importantly, the experiences that I gain from serving in my community help me to have a better understanding in how to interact with people who are different from me which will an invaluable skill throughout my life. Service also aids in the development of problem solving skills because it is crucial that the work that is performed fits into the needs of whom you are serving without making them dependent on humanitarian aid.”

“My name is Erin Stella and I attend the University of Utah! I am working on finishing up my general education requirements, and then planning on applying to the nursing program. I absolutely love volunteering and helping out wherever I can. I think it’s a blast to serve, and to see the impact you can make. I decided to get involved with Youthlinc again because it’s an amazing organization and I had such a great experience on my last trip. I’m super stoked to be involved with Youthlinc again and can’t wait to see what this service year holds!”

“My name is Adriana Stella, I am currently a senior at Juan Diego Catholic High School in Draper. I have gone to catholic school my whole life. Ever since I started high school as a student you are required to have 25 service hours a year. I’ve been on the drill team and softball team, for both activities you’re always involved in serving others and volunteering. I love helping my community and seeing the difference it really makes by doing so. Last year I was on the Madagascar June team and I volunteered at Real Life. I applied for Youthlinc again because I really enjoy serving others and helping my community. Going on a humanitarian trip is really life changing, it helps you see the world in a different perspective, and teaches you to be grateful.”

“My name is Kylie Shaw, and I am 16 years old. I am a junior at Park City High School, but I would like to eventually attend the University of Utah. I started participating in humanitarian work when I got involved with Youthlinc, and absolutely loved local service. I originally gained my volunteer hours by p
eer tutoring, but recently I have began to work with the National Ability Center and Big Brother’s Big Sisters. I have gone to both Cambodia and Madagascar with Youthlinc, and each experience has been life altering. Before I went to a third world country I was very self-centered, but during the trip I learned that helping others was the most rewarding feeling that I have ever felt. I continue to serve on an International and local level because I have the ability to offer aid to people who may not have the same opportunities or resources that I do. I would not be the same person I am today without the experience that I received from Youthlinc, and I am so grateful that I got involved in such an amazing organization. I intend to go into the medical field, and hopefully volunteer for Doctors Without Borders and Operation Smile.”