During my sophomore year of high school I had the opportunity to represent my high school at the Hugh O’ Brian Youth Leadership Conference held at Youngstown State University. Many other high school students from across Ohio represented their high school at this conference as well. The conference occurred over the span of a weekend, and it was a great experience that allowed me to better my leadership skills and meet other people of all different backgrounds. There were many influential speakers throughout the week that spoke about what it means to be a leader and how to positively influence your community and those around you.
The experience was very unique for me at the time. It was intimidating in the beginning since I went in not knowing anyone, and I had to spend a weekend in this new, unknown environment. The experience taught me a lot and opened my eyes to the importance of leadership and what it means to be a leader. I learned that often we see a leader as someone who is extremely outgoing and involved. While this certainly can be true, it is important to acknowledge that everyone can express leadership in different ways. Without these differences in leadership styles, the world would be at a fault. It was interesting getting to know all of the new people throughout the week and learning about their backgrounds and how they exemplify leadership within their schools and communities. At the end of the conference, we all participated in a community service project and reflected on our experiences throughout the weekend.
I am grateful to have had the opportunity to attend the Hugh O’ Brien Youth Leadership Conference. It was an unforgettable experience that truly helped me to grow as a person. 