Members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Omicron Beta Omega Chapter celebrated Saturday as three members graduated from their Youth Leadership Institute.

 

The YLI program, which has been operating since 2022, helps local youth ages 11-13 with leadership skills such as public speaking and communication, involves them in community service projects and mentors them as they grow into young adults.

 

Gretchen Luvene, who helps facilitate the YLI program, said students today face a lot of pressure and have to make big decisions. Through YLI, she said, sorority members hope to impart the skills, knowledge and self confidence needed to assess those situations and make the right choices.

 

“We’re living in times when pressure is just at an all-time high, and when they get to school, and they make friendships, and sometimes they have to face a lot of decisions,” she said. “But the Good Book says that charity starts at home, and teaching starts at home, so I’m thankful and hope that YLI has had some part in their development and in their growth so that when they encounter some difficult situations, that they will remember the teachings and the lessons that we hopefully have instilled in them.”

 

Gail Lynch, vice president of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Omicron Beta Omega Chapter, said she wants to thank both the parents for entrusting the program with their children and the students themselves for giving of their time and energy.

 

“We hope that we have made an impact on their lives, and we’re just excited to be here to celebrate and hope that you will take the things that you’ve learned from this program out into the community, into the public and serve the communities that you live in,” she said.

 

Aiden Conerly, a previous graduate of the YLI program, also spoke to the graduates, sharing how the tools and lessons of the program have continued to help him. Conerly said his favorite YLI projects included creating vision boards, which highlight each participant’s goals and aspirations, as well as researching anesthesiology.

 

The program, he said, gave him the confidence needed to speak in front of a group, motivation to perform well in the classroom and the courage to step up and be a leader in school, athletics and amongst friends.

 

“As I continue to grow as a leader, I hope that you all gain a lot of knowledge from this program and will be the leaders you are called to be,” he said.

 

Luvene encouraged those in attendance to contact the sorority if they know any students in the 11-13 age range who may be interested in the YLI program. The program is always looking for more youth to help nurture and grow into tomorrow’s leaders.

 

“We know the road ahead of them is going to be great, and we know they’re going to do great things. So if you know anyone, please let us know because again, we welcome the opportunity,” she said. “This is what we do. We just try to make a little dent into their life, and we hope it’s something positive.”