My Key Leader Experience

by Emilie Pinto (Warhill High School Class of 2010, Williamsburg, Virginia)

Last year, I had the privilege of attending Key Leader in Maryland. Key Leader is a weekend dedicated to teaching youth the concept of servant leadership and focusing on the principles of integrity, growth, respect, community, and excellence. You know, when I heard that Key Leader was for at-risk teens I didn't think it was for me. I felt that I was a normal teen, had a normal life, and came from a good background. The reality is that every teen in this world is at risk. Many teens, especially those who lack confidence, consider high school to be the craziest, most stressful time in their life. All too often this is the case. Key Leader is a program that is giving teens the inspiration and tools to believe that they can make a difference. I know this firsthand because I was one of the many teens whose life was changed by Key Leader. It helped me become comfortable in my own skin for the first time. I became a better person, a better Key Clubber, a better leader, and most importantly a better person. I will be honest, before Key Leader, life and high school deeply took their toll on me. I was battling severe depression and found it hard to find a reason to get up every morning. It was a horrible time. I tried not to show it on the outside, but it began affecting my everyday life. Once I admitted something was wrong, I came out of it with help from my family, friends, Key Club and Key Leader. My participation in Key Leader truly solidified my anti-depression. I became truly happy. Through all the hands-on activities, the ropes course, the team building exercises, and the journal entries, I found something that I didn't expect to find - I found myself. I finally believed that my life had a purpose - the purpose to serve others through my leadership. I will proudly say that I am a Key Leader. I do not measure my success by how many awards I have gotten or how much recognition I have received. Instead I measure success by how many people I have brought up with me. There's an old saying that says, "If you give a man a fish he'll eat for a day. If you teach a man how to fish he'll eat for a lifetime." The same is true with leadership. It is one thing to lead, but it is a much rewarding experience to empower other to lead. This is one of the many things Key Leader taught me. Overall it was an unforgettable, fun, life-changing experience that I would recommend to any Key Clubber or teenager that wants to improve their life. I encourage Kiwanis clubs to help sponsor teens to go to Key Leader. I guarantee it will make an impact on their life. I am returning to Key Leader this year as a student facilitator to help give back to a program that gave me so much. From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank Kiwanis for everything you do. The support you give to the world youth through programs like Key Leader gives hope for the future. Kiwanis is truly changing the world one child at time. Thank you!

For more information about the Spring 2010 Key Leader weekend (April 23-25-2010 in Millersville, Maryland), please contact Capital District Key Leader Chair Nicole McDermott at CapitalKeyLeader@gmail.com or 703.917.8877. Registration is open online and there is limited space still available. Search Capital District Key Leader on Facebook and become a fan! Visit www.youtube.com/CapitalKeyLeader and watch live student testimonials about the quality of the program.