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Delegate and Staff Experience
The Youth Leadership and Diversity Conference
has made a difference in the lives of so many high school students.
Here are what a few of past delegates and a staff member had to
say about their amazing experiences:
“I learned a lot of things at Seminar. I
learned that everyone has talents that make them better suited
to different tasks then others. I learned not to be quick to judge
and to actually sit down and talk to a person before I make opinions,
if I make any at all. Most of all, I learned a lot about myself
… I learned that when I open up and just be myself I’m
a much better person. On a lighter note, I learned how to dance
which really has nothing to do with the Seminar at all. I think
really the seminar taught me what it was supposed to: to think
more about myself and the world around me and to use what I learned
to better guide myself in leading people in various situations.
“I think that other students should get
the opportunity to attend because it will open their eyes and
show them how big the world is and how people are very different
but very much the same. So they can learn to not be so quick to
judge, to open up, and to love their fellow mankind.
“I learned the most in my week at Seminar and had the greatest
week of my life there as well.”
-- Chris Harkness, Delegate
“Civitan Youth Seminar is not a normal week out of your
life. It is a week like no other, where complete strangers grow
to become the closest of friends. The atmosphere at the camp is
full of life and vitality and should not be limited to merely
80 teenagers. More teenagers should get the opportunity to attend
the Seminar. The activities throughout the week were incredibly
fun and filled the week with so many chances to improve upon yourself
in all aspects of life …
“There were so many things that I gained
from the week, but I would say confidence in myself was the biggest.
After that week I know that my leaderships skills will improve
because I am more eager to be an influence on others and impact
their lives. With this gained confidence, I will make better friendships
and be able to talk to those who I would normally ignore.”
-- David Reeves, Delegate
“The Civitan Youth Seminar had a huge impact on my life.
The atmosphere was amazing and made everyone come out of their
“shells” so to speak and open up …
“Not only did we come out of our “shells”
and become more open but, as a group, we also took down the walls
and stereotypes we had put up to protect ourselves back home,
and got to become close friends with 100 other people. However,
the greatest test wasn’t going to the Seminar, it is using
what you learned there when you get back home …”
-- Josh Titus, Delegate
“Civitan Youth Seminar is a completely indescribable event.
No matter how hard you try, words just can’t do it any justice.
When I was a delegate, it really opened my eyes to the world.
Since I hadn’t ever really left my small rural hometown,
it let me see things in a new light. It really shows you that
no matter where you come from that there are others your age going
through the same things as you and having the same problems as
you. Also, Seminar really showed me that you shouldn’t judge
a book by its cover. I met some really amazing people there, and
if I had met them in my hometown, I probably would have never
got to know them because they appeared different than me. Overall,
Seminar was a life changing experience for me. Which is why I
decided to apply to be on staff. I got the position and have been
on staff for four years now. The reason I decided to be on staff
is so I could help the future delegates to get the same experiences
as I got out of Seminar. And taking a week of my summer to help
young people like this really makes me feel good about myself
in general.
“Another great thing about Seminar is the
atmosphere. I consider everyone there family. I would drop everything
I was doing for one of them in need. It is so amazing that you
could get so close to these people in such a short time. When
you combine all these things, it makes Seminar a true great thing.
It makes this world that much of a better place. For Civitan Youth
Seminar to not continue would be a truly sad thing not only for
us involved, but also for the world as a whole.”
-- Scott Wilson, Staff Member
