Comments from parents, advisors and other “adults” over the years
Good morning Ms. Segura, the luncheon and events after were so inspirational and energizing. I am so grateful I was able to attend along with my daughter. Thank you again for the valuable work you have all done and the meaningful opportunities you have given these amazing students. I hope my daughter is able to participate next year. It would be an honor and a life-changing weekend.
Connie Ross, Sacramento County Office of Education
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We just wanted to say thank you for the amazing weekend at NTLP 2008. This was our daughter’s first year and she was not to sure about the whole thing, but by Sunday she was telling us she wanted to sign up for next year. For us, as parents, it was great to see her grow in just 3 days without us. Thank you and your staff for everything you are doing for these kids. And thank you to the other families that are sending the “FUTURE LEADERS” to the camp YEA! NTLP!!! YOU ROCK!
Sincerely, The Dippert family
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NTLP gave me the opportunity to open my eyes a little wider to see that there is genuine good in everyone and it takes a leader to see that. NTLP helped me want to be better. It doesn’t matter if you win or loose… it’s how gracefully we rise after a fall and how hard you try. By staying in touch with NTLP (in any capacity) we are trusting and helping to develop the leaders that will guide the world of our children. I am happy to say, that I feel a lot better as a parent of three… to see that we have such amazing talent, courage, determination and leadership in our next generation leaders.
Lina Centeno, alumna, 1997-1998, staff 1999- 2008
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May I just say how impressive the camp ran and how much excellent feedback I heard from parents at the luncheon and afterwards. I came to help, but found that I wasn’t really needed. Everything ran smoothly and there were so many volunteers that it was unbelievable! Any other event that I have been to, that thrives off of the volunteers that support it, is usually chaotic and there is generally a need for additional help. I was so impressed by everyone at NTLP AND the spirit you brought!
My niece had a blast and I thank you for that as well. She already wants to sign up for next year too.
Andrea Cook, Kelly Services
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I wanted to thank you and your staff so much for the efforts put into the 2008 NTLP Conference. We believe we are extremely fortunate to have such an amazing son (and daughter); yet, we were awestruck by the inspired young man we picked up on Sunday. Moreover, we are so very proud of his title of “2008 Male National Teen Leadership Ambassador.” Cyle’s enthusiasm has not waivered since his homecoming and we believe NTLP was the catapult he needed to feel that he can make a difference in people’s lives.
Again, thank you so much for everything. We look forward to next year’s conference and many more to come as our daughter reaches her Freshman year in 2010.
Warmest regards, Kimberly J. Hellwig, parent
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WOW! I am so speechless! It took me a good amount of time to get through them all (2008 testimonials) but it was worth every single word! I am particularly astounded by those who said they were pleasantly pushed outside of their comfort zones….that made me smile for sure! If you think about it, the title of NTLP is a little misleading…..it makes it sound like this is a program for people who are already leaders in their communities, but it also grows leaders who in a lot of ways, never thought they could! I think that has to be the best part!
When my group was paired up with Jane for duo-groups, I was lucky to get to witness that conversation she had talked about in staff meeting…the girl who spoke of being a “wall flower.” I remember her from last year and she was indeed shy….painfully shy. But to hear her conversation with Jane (who had obviously inspired her and made her comfortable enough to break out of her shell) was such a blessing to get to witness! This camp made her grow past her personal boundaries. She stepped outside of her comfort box and felt ok with that. It made me proud!
I love this organization and every thing it stands for. It makes me proud to be a part of it. It makes me sad there isn’t one in every state! It makes me happy to have gotten the NTLP pamphlet in my Honors English Class in 10th grade! I’m so glad this organization is a part of my life!
Love Always, Raelena Gourley, Alumna 1997, Staff 1998 - 2009
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What an honor it was to participate as a judge on the NTLP interview panel! It was an absolute delight to briefly talk to so many great teens from all walks of life. Each one has something unique to offer this world, and I was highly impressed with how well they represented themselves. The interview process was so well organized, that the time went by too quickly and I wish I could have talked with the teens longer! I am even more inspired today by our future leaders.
Best to you, Barbara Beal-Lopez, Brightfarm Productions
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I am the parent of two NTLP alumni, Chelsea and Pierce White. I know you hear anecdotes about how NTLP has impacted many young people. I’ve sat for three years at NTLP events, and heard them myself. I just wanted to let you know about the changes around our own home, thanks to NTLP.
Chelsea enjoyed her two years at NTLP weekends, and was persistent that her brother at least give it one weekend. Pierce was very reluctant, to say the least. Right up to the point of us hugging him goodbye, he only promised to tolerate things for the one weekend.
I can truly say I have never seen quite such a startling transformation in so short a time. When we arrived on Sunday, Pierce ran by with a big smile for us and a thumbs-up. On the three hour ride home, he talked non-stop about every speaker and every activity of the three days. And it did not stop there!
Ever since August, Pierce references to something from that weekend at least once a week. It has affected his taekwondo training, his academic attitude (and he was already a good student), and his relationships with peers and everyone else in his life. I even think he wears his NTLP tee shirt as a sort of power shirt. I’ve noticed him wearing it when he knows he will have particularly difficult people or tasks to take on. He is so much happier with who he is now, and seems so much more self-assured in handling his life situations. I cannot tell you how impressed I am with NTLP and the huge difference you make.
Please share this with anyone in your organization who needs to be reminded why you work so hard. Due to all that hard work, there is a young man in northern California, who has always had great potential, and thanks to NTLP he was given permission to honestly recognize and use it. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart!
Most sincerely, Kathy White, parent
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I would like to take a moment to comment on a program that I will truly call “Life Changing”. I took seven of my Indio High School Cadets to the National Teen Leader Program (NTLP) at Cal State, San Bernardino. I expected a lot, but got much more than I had ever anticipated. Allow me the opportunity to elaborate.
From my first contact with the program coordinator, Ms. Laura Segura, to the time we departed for home, the NTLP experience was by far the single best event any of us have ever attended. The attention to detail, planning and execution and, most importantly, the caring, were all evident from start to finish.
Here it is almost five months later and each Cadet recalls in detail the fun they had and the lessons they learned. More importantly, each Cadet has truly been changed for the better. In fact, we all get together for monthly “NTLP Lunches”. There is so much I could say about each Cadet to bear all of this out, but I will make it brief.
One set of parents commented that they have noted such a wonderful, positive change in their two daughters that they will pay the full cost to send them to the next NTLP camp. Another parent flatly stated that their son had no real ambitions for his education, and would even have been content working in a fast food restaurant. After NTLP, he clearly stated his intent to attend college. These stories continue, but, more importantly, the NTLP experience continues for each and every one of these Cadets. They even want to go as far as to teach the diversity classes they received at NTLP to their whole school. Imagine that!
So, my purpose is clear. I am seeking to elicit support, in the form of clout and money, for the NTLP program. My only motive for doing so is the positive changes in the lives of each of the seven young people I took to the NTLP. I would ask that you find the ability to contribute to this program in any way that you can. There is an old saying that in order to change the world, you must change yourself. If this is true, we can certainly change the world that our young people inherit from us by changing them. And that is exactly what NTLP does!
Sincerely, Mr. Paul Stryker, Department of Business & Mathematics,
Commandant of Cadets, California Cadet Corps, Indio High School
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NTLP is one of the best investments we can make in the future of our country; because we are molding and educating future leaders of the world. NTLP is probably the cheapest insurance policy this country could ever have to indemnify us against internal domestic problems.” MAJ GEN William Wade, II, California National Guard