2011 Conference reflection essay by Molly Messner
This National Service-Learning Conference 2011 reflection essay is by Youth Advisory Council member Molly Messner, junior at Harry D. Jacobs High School in Algonquin, Ill. This is Molly's second year attending the conference.
Walking into O’Hare airport on April 6, 2011 with Laura Saldivar by my side was one of the most anticipating moments of my life. Sitting in the terminal and looking out into the sunny sky I had no kind of understanding of the week that was to come before me. As a member of the National Youth Leadership Council's Youth Advisory Council we were traveling cross country to attend the National Service-Learning Conference. Upon arriving in Atlanta, one of the many insights that had crossed my mind was that I couldn’t believe I was in the position I was in today. Last year around the same time of year I had attended the conference as a participant in a Project Ignition school. The remarkable impact the conference had on me last year ignited my passion for service-learning and had motivated me to apply for the YAC. Being a part of such an influential group of people has changed my life in so many ways it is almost immeasurable. The YAC had worked hard year-round to plan and organize many of the events that occurred during the conference. It was one of the greatest feelings in the world to unite with a team of incredible people on April 6-9 and see what our genuine minds had collaborated. As soon as everyone arrived at the Hyatt Regency, it was time to buckle down and get to work. Immediately meeting new people from the other side of the country, it was amazing how we could easily come together on a common cause and work so effectively.
The most impacting experience of the conference was the opening plenary. Thinking back on it and just looking through pictures almost recreates the moment and moves me to tears. Justice Walker’s rendition of Martin Luther King Jr. made an astounding impact on every single person sitting in that plenary hall. The presence of Justice on stage was completely overwhelming; he represented a face of youth in a crowd of many emerging to make a difference in society. Justice stood up and portrayed one of the most important messages that epitomized the intention of the conference. Justice’s speech was the icing on the cake in reference to the emphasis of what time youth should take action to initiate global change. The Time is Now.
April 6-9 marks four of the most incredibly impacting days of my life. I had expanded my cultural respect for those of which are different than me. I acknowledged the role youth have in society through the workshop the Research and Communications Committee had conducted. The most accomplishing feeling I began to understand is that although my peers and I are considered youth, we have the power to rise up from the standards placed upon us by society and be a part of something greater.
