It's Like Christmas In June

It doesn't seem like much happens in June. There's not a major holiday (Father's Day counts a little, but only a little). It's starting to get too hot to stay outside without a cold body of water nearby. School is out, and while summer vacation is what every student spends their entire school year looking forward to, life can start to feel a bit boring and unproductive after just a few short weeks. The month of June is just sort of... there. However, it's about to be Christmas for 52 outstanding Oklahoma high school seniors. Trust me, they are about to be extremely glad they had one open week to fill with something besides school or work, because Youth Leadership Oklahoma is about to change everything for them.

And I speak from experience.

Hi. I'm Bryce Rowland, and the only waffles I ever liked were the ones I ate in Brussels, Belgium. I am a senior at the University of Oklahoma where I major in International Studies and minor in Business. One day I want to say, "I've seen the world and brought it back with me to Oklahoma in all kinds of creative ways." I've already begun that process. This past semester I had the unparalleled opportunity to attend the University of Oklahoma in Arezzo, Italy. Yup, I was a legal resident of the country of Italy for four months. I got to see a good chunk of Europe in the process, too. That was pretty cool. In fact, it was so cool that I don't think it's hit me how cool it was. I only just got back two weeks ago. For a full account of my trip (here comes the shameless plug), feel free to visit my personal blog: www.myitalianisbad.com . Speaking of which, I need to go update that... 

Anyway, I had the distinct privilege of being a member of Youth Leadership Oklahoma Class IX, where I was joined by over 50 other high school seniors as we traveled across Oklahoma, learning all about the diverse aspects of the stovetop-pot-shaped state that make it nothing less than the best. I loved the experience so much that I decided to apply to be the AmeriCorps intern/chaperone for YLOK three years later, and I got the job! It's literally a dream for me. I loved every second spent on last year's trip, meeting the new class and becoming a mentor and friend to every student. And now here I am again, sitting at my desk at the Leadership Oklahoma office getting prepared for yet another amazing and life changing trip full of outstanding and dynamic company. Believe me when I say it REALLY feels like Christmas for me knowing that I get to meet, befriend, and mentor 52 more of Oklahoma's top high school students. It's an honor and a responsibility that I don't take for granted.

I can say with certainty that LeeAnne Stone, the director of YLOK (and the coolest boss ever), is equally as excited to lead this trip across the state. If you're a parent of a YLOK student, trust me when I say that your student is in excellent hands. If you're a student, get really excited, because LeeAnne is about to be one of your favorite people ever (just don't make her get into "mom" mode... she's got two boys and has plenty of training in putting people in their place if they act up ;P).

Whether you are a former YLOK student, an incoming student, a parent, or just a curious reader, know that in just a few short days,  Youth Leadership Oklahoma Class XIII will be instilled with a newfound love for everything Oklahoma. These students are the future of our state. They have proven that they are talented, caring, dynamic, and exceptional leaders among their peers. Upon completion of YLOK, they will not only have a newfound (or rekindled) love for Oklahoma, they will be empowered with resources, knowledge, experience, and a network of new best friends that will allow them to become the future leaders of Oklahoma in whatever field they may choose. No part of this experience is a guilt trip. We don't make students sign contracts saying they'll go to college or choose a career here. They make that decision on their own. We don't just tell these students that Oklahoma is the best. We give them proof. We show them why. This experience has been a defining moment for hundreds of Oklahoma students already, and it is poised to do so once again.

On behalf of Leadership Oklahoma and Youth Leadership Oklahoma's staff, board members, and graduates, I welcome each member of YLOK Class XIII to the family. We can't wait to meet you. It'll be like Christmas in June. See you soon!

-Bryce Rowland