Let Youth Voices Be Heard - Fall Issue 2015

LET YOUTH V OI CES BE HEA RD Written by student leaders for student leaders 21ST CENTURY LEADERS FALL 2015 ISSUE

FALL IN LOVE WITH SERVICE Featured A rticles -

Recap of the 2015 Fall exCHANGE

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Inside Scoop on GA Youth Leader ship Confer ences

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Details on how to get involved w ith GA Gives Day and GYLA

FALL 2015

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR FALL 2015

Youhavethe power tolead Dear fellow 21st Century Leaders,

21CL Yout h Leadership Council

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WHO WE ARE We are 25 high school students from 21 different high school across the state of Georgia. We are the voice of 21st Century Leaders, representing the distinct ideas, opinions, attitudes, knowledge and actions of young people as a collective body through written language. We also serve as 21CL advocates to our schools and communities, and work with other 21CL students to create meaningful opportunities for one another.

FALL 2015

I hope that all of you had a great start to your school year and that you are learning a lot, getting extremely involved in your community, and that you're always practicing the skills we've learned in 21st Century Leaders. In this edition of the publication we're focusing on leadership and service and how you can stay involved within your school, community and beyond. Your leadership doesn't end with 21st Century Leaders...it's merely the beginning. You'll get to see all the great leadership conferences we've attended, a recap of the fall summit, and some awesome projects we're doing in our own schools. Enjoy!

Sincerely, Ammu Kumar Wheeler H.S., Youth Leadership Council

M EET OUR FA LL I SSUE STA FF Editor I n Chief Ammu Kumar Wheeler H igh, Class of 2016

St aff W r iter

St aff W r iter

Jazz M artin Ingram

Grace X u

N orth Springs Charter H S, Class of 2017

Parkview H igh School , Class of 2016

D esign Team St aff W r iter

Javaris Askin

A ssist ant Editor - I n- Chief

M abel Tie

Westlake H .S., Class of 2017

Julian M ason T he Westminster Schools, Class of 2018

Athens Academy, Class of 2017 D esign Team Delilah H arrell

St aff W r iter R ayna Perry Savannah Arts Academy, Class of 2017

South Cobb H .S., Class of 2016

St aff W r iter Josephine Graves Sonoraville H .S., Class of 2017

TAKEA A BREAK BREAK & & NOMINATE NOMINATE TAKE 21st Century Leaders, in partnership with our corporate sponsors and business professionals including Atlanta Business Chronicle's 40 under 40 members, honors and selects the top 20 outstanding high school students from across the state. As leaders yourself, you know how important it is to recognize the work youth are doing in their community or school.We?d love your help in getting the word out about the nominations, nominating a peer or fellow 21st Century Leader!

Share on social media today!

You can find more information about the Georgia Youth Leadership Awards and the nomination process on our website here or go ahead and nominate right now! NOMINATE Deadl ine t o nominat e is Friday, December 4t h.

Thanks again for your support of 21st Century Leaders!

Click on the slideshow to see images from 21st Century Leaders fall summit, Leadership exCHANGE

See all photos on our FB

LEA DERSHI P ex CHA NGE

The 8 Essent ial Exchanges 1. Exchanging stability for significance Our nat ural inst inct is t o do what ever is saf e and secure, but by st aying in t his saf e posit ion al l t he t ime, we l ose out on dreaming bigger, and

This fall, on Saturday, September

it saf e al l t he t ime.

26th, over a 100 21st Century

2. Exchanging fans for friends

Leaders gathered at the GE

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reaching higher goal s. Mr. Scot t encourages us t o t ake risks and t o not pl ay

different ways to brand ourselves

3. Exchanging dollars for difference

and be proactive as teens. We had

We?ve al ways been driven by t he power of t he al might y dol l ar, but when it comes t o career choice don?t just worry about your sal ary. Pick a job or endeavor t hat you?re t rul y passionat e about and one where you can have a posit ive impact on societ y.

annual Fall Summit. This year?s theme was ?Leadership exCHANGE?

some amazing speakers and presenters come down to talk to us, including professionals from GE focusing on business and grassroots leaders from Atlanta Farm to School.

We also participated in a service project with Trees Atlanta where we re-vamped the Atlanta Beltline.

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and we learned all about the

In t oday?s social media-driven worl d, somet imes your sel f wort h is det ermined by how many f ol l owers or l ikes you have. But t hroughout l if e, we?l l go t hrough a l ot of ups and down and t he onl y peopl e t hat are t rul y t here f or us are f riends and f amil y. Inst ead of worrying about superf icial onl ine rel at ionships, invest in l ong-t erm ones.

Headquarters in Atlanta for the

4. Exchanging expedience for excellence Somet imes we do t hings just t o check t hem of f our t o-do-l ist s and we do t hem as quickl y as possibl e wit h as l it t l e ef f ort as possibl e. Inst ead of just doing a good job on t he surf ace, invest your t ime in anyt hing you put your mind t o, and maximize your out come.

5. Exchanging shifting sands for solid rock

I had the pleasure of introducing our

It ?s nice t o get caught up in a whirl wind of act ivit y once in a whil e, and t o keynote speaker, Mr. Kevin Scott (bio l ose yoursel f by having f un and moving al l over t he pl ace. But make sure on pg. 12 & 13) who talked about the t hat you st ay grounded and f ocused on your f ut ure so t hat you don?t jeopardize your t rue pot ent ial .

8 Essential Exchanges needed to go

from a comfortable and safe position 6. Exchanging being the master of none to being the master of one As a high school st udent , we occasional l y f ind t hat we?re spreading oursel ves t oo t hin by being invol ved in a myriad variet y of cl ubs and ext racurricul ar act ivit ies. Inst ead of just joining al l t he dif f erent organizat ions, pick a f ew t hat you?re real l y passionat e about and become a l eader f or t he cause.

to an even better position in life.

TAKE A BREAK AND NOMINATE!

Arundhat i (Ammu) Kumar

LET YOUTH V OI CES BE HEA RD

A downside of being a st udent in such a high-achieving and high st akes syst em is t hat somet imes we accept f ail ure in a very passive manner.

Inst ead of just hanging our head in def eat , we shoul d anal yze how t he f ail ure makes us st ronger and achieve even more next t ime we t ry.

8. Exchanging the immediate for the ultimate

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W rit t en by

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7. Exchanging acceptance for accomplishment

A l ot of t he choices we make are due t o t he pursuit of inst ant grat if icat ion and what we want ?in t he now." Inst ead of making rash decisions t hat benef it you in t he short t erm, t hink about where you?l l be in t he f ut ure and how t he choice you?re making af f ect s t hat f ut ure.

FALL 2015

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Leadership Conferences

BY: GRACE XU

It?s that time of year again, when students all over the country begin attending leadership conferences and seminars in major organizations such as Future Business Leaders of America or Model United Nations. The air is filled with a sense of excitement, exuberance, and ebullience as many students prepare for their first extended stay away from family or assiduously prepare for their competitive events. As 21st Century Leaders, we're prepared for this new adventure, but there's always things to keep in mind when attending any new event. Whether your conference is simply regional or even international, you have earned the honor of being selected to attend, and your countless hours of dedication have placed you on the cusp of success.

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Regardless of the sponsoring organization or the purpose of the conference itself, conventions are the best method to begin developing your personal brand and start networking by reaching out to individuals with whom you may want to conduct internships or other opportunities. Not only will you be able to carry the experiences with you on to college or graduate school, but the relationships that you develop today may greatly benefit you in the future as you enter the professional world. All conferences have leadership and training workshop sessions for you to select and attend, ranging from simple informative workshops to engaging in exhilarating team-building activities that work to strengthen your personal skills in various situations. While 21st Century Leaders offers us training events throughout the school year, it's our responsibility as young leaders to seek out all opportunities and connect with other organizations locally, nationally or internationally. All in all, it is highly important for students to attend conventions, whether or not they decide to focus on the competition, fun, or even both.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Ranging from attending college promotion events to creating their own students conferences, students have a wide array of opportunities when it comes to attending these conventions. I can personally attest to the innumerable benefits and experiences that conferences have given me; without them, I would be a different person today, simply because these conventions have contributed so much to shaping my development as a leader. They can become life-changing experiences that inspire you to pursue your true passions, become a better person, or ignite a new flame within you.

FALL 2015

21CL Monthly Webinar Series

REGISTER December #W ebinarW ednesday | SAVE THE DATE "How to Gain an Internship" on December 9th at 7:00pm with our host, Crystal Newton from SHRM Atlanta (Society of Human Resource Management)!

BY: JAZZ M ARTIN-INGRAM

THE POWER OF MUSIC Music Midtown is an annual music festival hosted in Atlanta?s own Piedmont Park. The festival began in 1994 and ran successfully until 2005; when the event took a long six-year break returning in 2011.

Music midtown was forced to take a independent promoters sold their company. 2011 was the resurrection of the festival, Mayor Kasim Reed and Conlon announced that the festival would return with ticket prices of $55.

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halt in pace when Atlanta

The 2011 revamp of Music Midtown was quite the success, and brought the event back to its former hierarchy. As the years progressed, the performers were of more acclaim than the last; this years line up ultimately reeled in some of the most popular performers to ever touch the Music Midtown stage, Drake & Elton John.

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LET YOUTH V OI CES BE HEA RD

The festival grabbing at two totally different music genres, subcultures, and age groups; showing a new diverse feel to the well known indie-popish Š Phot ographer Name

festival. Also proving that this festival is a ?force to be reckoned with."

In the words of one festival attendee ; "normally Music Midtown has few rap artists that all fall into one of two categories: rapper from Atlanta or rapper on the come up. Since the revamp they?ve brought out T.I, 2 Chainz, B.O.B, and Vic Mensa; with the exclusion of Kendrick Lamar and

Lekot ek Run

Eminem they stick to two categories of

BY: MABEL TIE On a bright early Saturday morning in August, 21st Century Youth

rap artists."

Leadership Team members gathered at the Lekotek Run 4 Kids race in Georgia Perimeter College at Dunwoody, Georgia. The Lekotek Run 4 Kids was the welcome celebration for the 21st Century Youth Leadership Team. This year was the 23rd annual race, and was hosted by the Lekotek of Georgia, an organization that helps mentally and physically disabled children and young adults. It has many events each year to support these families, including a variety of programs for all ages from a few months old to twenty-something year old.

The Lekotek Run 4 Kids raises money to support their organization, and is a scenic four mile race or a fun one mile run. Many of the Lekotek families participate in the race. The 21st Century Leaders were each assigned to a different station. The stations were registration table, water station, and

Making this year a leap outside the

kids?activities booth. I was at the kids?activities station, where we built

box, but a major change in the right direction. I was pleased with this year?s selection and honored to see Drake

various wooden models provided by Home Depot. All the kids at the station were so excited and were able to

perform; he did not disappoint a single

create several

audience member! Performing number

pieces including

after number with audience member in

wooden models of

awe. Music Midtown is an unforgettable

bird houses,

experience started in Atlanta, but its

calendars,

effects reach far outside our city lines.

helicopters, and even a football stand. . Most of the

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kids were pretty young, so we helped with the hammer and nail part. Everyone was happy, and at the end we cheered on the runners as they reached the finish line.

Service is such an important aspect of the 21st Century Leader organization, so the Lekotek Run 4 Kids event gives motivation and insight to our generation. This event was a great way to start off the 21st Century Leaders?new year, and I can?t wait to see what we do next!

FALL 2015

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Junk 2 Fu n k

BY: RAYNA PERRY

It seems like the school year has just hit its groove. We're getting used to our classes, joining clubs and sports, and not to mention finally enjoying some fall weather these past few months.

But for the Applied Design students at Savannah Arts Academy, the school year has been in high gear since nearly the very beginning, as they?ve already begun preparing for the Eighth Annual Junk 2 Funk Fashion Show this January.

Each year, students design and create breathtaking garments out of recycled materials, all with the goal of showing off their hard work and competing at the fashion show. What began eight years ago as a simple showcase, has grown into a student lead, powerhouse show, that gains lots of community attention.

Last year, over 3,000 people attended four sold out shows, with hundreds more watching via livestream for the final show. Many people involved in Savannah?s art and fashion community have attended and served as judges in the past, with the popular TV Show, Project Runway?s Miss J making an appearance for the 2013 show.

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But before that long awaited weekend arrives, there's an intense amount of work that goes into making Junk 2 Funk such a success. Blood, sweat, and tears are only the beginning. There are rehearsals that last until 8p.m., lunch periods spent hot gluing materials in between bites, and fighting off the January cold in garments made of mosquito netting and packing tape. However, if you ask any student involved they'd likely tell you that it's all worth it. These students are putting their passion into action; organizing, creating, and leading this event all on their own.

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FALLL 2015

creativity when it comes to

Starting in August, Applied Design

choosing materials. In recent

students begin planning and

years, models have walked the

sketching their ideas. This year's

runway donning garments made

intergalactic theme has designers

of bubble wrap, tin foil, pampas

creating looks based on the final

grass, broken CDs, and even candy

frontier. ?It can be difficult to

corn. The challenge lies in

come up with a design that fits

avoiding the use of fabric.

the theme, and then taking it from

It isn't long before posters

a sketch to the real world.? says

covered in planets and stars are

junior theater major, Johannah

put up throughout the school,

Coichy. Once the students have

announcing that Junk 2 Funk

their ideas, it's time to bring them

model auditions are coming up

to life, and there's no lack of

soon. This year roughly two

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hundred hopeful students

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Leaders?own Destiny Lambert.

auditioned to model, and

From here, it?s all about fittings

designers will choose about sixty

and rehearsals. Several other

five to seventy students to walk

SAA students will be designing

the runway during the show.

the sets, and lighting, as well as

?Auditions are nerve wracking. Up

creating a soundtrack for the

until you step foot on the floor

show. Junk 2 Funk incorporates

you can only think ?God, please

all arts majors, both visual and

don't let me fall.? and ?I hope I

performing, and blends them

can catch the beat.? Then you

together in one unbelievable

muster up your inner Naomi

show that always entertains. It?s

Campbell and strut your stuff into

a chance for SAA students to

complete oblivion.

showcase exactly what they?re

"It?s liberating in some ways- all eyes on you.? explains senior theater major, and 21st Century

capable of and doing it all on their own. So as January approaches, you can be sure that Savannah Arts Academy will be ready to rock the runway.

FEATURED ADULT LEADER: KEVIN SCOTT Kevin Paul Scott has spoken to leaders on six continents from more than 100 countries and is the author of ?8 Essential Exchanges: What You Have to Give Up to Go Up.? Kevin co-founded both the ADDO Institute and ADDO Worldwide. The ADDO Institute received the Governor?s International Award for ?New Company of the Year? in the state of Georgia. The Institute works specifically in the areas of global leadership, student leadership and thought leadership. (Continued on Page 13) LET YOUTH V OI CES BE HEA RD

Featured Adult Leader : Kevin Scott (Continued from Page 12)

A volunteer with 21st Century Leaders for the last several years through Š Phot ographer Name

Atlanta's Business Chronicle's 40 under 40 group, Mr. Scott has spoken to 21st Century Leaders, including our 2015 fall summit.

Prior to founding ADDO, Kevin?s background included non-profit charitable work, business ventures, and politics. After graduating from the University of Georgia, Kevin served on a presidential campaign team and then worked as a representative for a United States Congressman. Kevin was named one of the ?Power 30 Under 30??for his work in expanding the marketing efforts nationwide as the Communicator in Chief for a global company. In consecutive years, Kevin was named to the ?40 under 40?lists for Georgia Trend and then the Atlanta Business Chronicle.

For his leadership and business acumen, Kevin has been featured in numerous publications, including The New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Atlanta Journal Constitution, Detroit Free Press, The Economist and others. For fun, Kevin has been cage diving with Great White Sharks in South Africa, trekked Mountain Gorillas in Uganda, and rode

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a llama in Colombia.

Kevin was raised in Kennesaw, GA and is active in his local church. Known for his grassroots appeal and southern charm, Kevin speaks extensively at

businesses, universities and within the

GA14 Yout h Leadership Summit BY: JOSEPHINE GRAVES

The GA14 Youth Leadership Summit, # GA14YLS, took place on Tuesday September 22nd. It was organized and hosted

by Congressman Tom Graves (R-GA-14) and his staff. It was five hours of inspiration and training for the high school students and adults in attendance. More than 250 students from 27 different high schools in the 14th Congressional District in Georgia attended the event. The Future Business Leaders of America chapters located in Gordon County, sent a total of 17 volunteers to assist with the running of the summit.

These students were recognized as leaders in their high schools and nominated to attend the summit, ?You are here today because someone, somewhere saw something special and different in you, and knowing that each of you was created for a unique purpose to impact lives in a positive way, our goal is to equip and inspire you to maximize that purpose now and not wait ? because you are not just the leaders of tomorrow, you are leaders today,? said Congressman Graves when opening the summit.

The program included four speakers, each coming from a different walk of life, but they all have a passion for leading students and inspiring success in them. The first speaker was Carrie Edge, a Floyd County Sheriff?s Deputy. Her passion is helping students to discover their ?why?. She discovered the great importance of finding your ?why?in her life when she left the business world to become a deputy to help students. Her philosophy is, ?In order to lead, you must choose to live by choice and not by chance, realize your full potential and seek to fully apply yourself in every decision you make, while maintaining laser focus on your, ?Why???

faith community. We are lucky to call him a 21st Century Leader partner!

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Following Deputy Edge came Kevin

Dr. Alvin Miles, the Instructor of

Paul Scott, Camila Knowles, and Dr.

Management at Kennesaw State

Alvin Miles. Kevin Paul Scott, the

University, concluded with his

Co-Founder of ADDO worldwide, a

presentation about how everyone has

nonprofit that provides leadership

their own unfair advantage, ?Just by

forums, addressed the students with

being here today, you are one step

a call to action, ?When we're looking

ahead of others and you should use

for leaders, we're looking at you.?

your advantages to make a positive difference in the world.?

Georgia Department of Community

The summit was the second of its

Affairs. She encouraged the student

kind for the 14th District and the

leaders by talking about her

local community. 21st Cent ury

?squiggly path to greatness?, as well

Leaders attended the event in an

as offering advice for college prep

effort to provide support and spread

and applications.

their name across North Georgia. The

One such student, Garrison

21CL issued this statement, ?21st

Baumgardner, said, ?I came as a

Century Leaders is proud to support

vol unt eer but I st il l made many

other youth leadership-led events

connect ions wit h ot her st udent s

around the state. We have a mission to

f rom around t he st at e. Al so, I was

impact as many high school students

abl e t o connect wit h 21st Cent ury

across the state, and North Georgia is

Leaders; I woul d say t his was t he

no exception.?

most import ant connect ion I made

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Camila Knowles is Commissioner of

here.?

The presence of 21CL was duly noted by student leaders attending the summit. Including a few 21st Century

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Leaders in attendance representing our schools. Many other students visited the table to find out more about 21CL and its mission. These connections bring in new people from a new area giving them the chance to experience opportunities

SPRING 20## LET YOUTH V OI CES BE HEA RD

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that they would otherwise miss.

W E SUPPORT 21CL

By Sneha Nagarajan

A new student slips through the door of the forum, stepping into a different, buzzing environment overflowing with life. Students, clad in the same white collared shirts, mill around introducing themselves. She is stunned for a minute, lost in the a sea of confident young individuals, but quickly recovers, racing straight into the wall of people crowded in the lobby. If they can do it, why can she?

Since 1989, we, as 21st Century Leaders, have been building the next generation of leaders by providing young people with training, guidance, and encouragement. Throughout our history, our only purpose has been to inspire the next generation of leaders to lead our businesses and our communities. Together, WE ARE 21st CENTURY LEADERS, and we need your

help!

Every year, 21st Century Leaders participates in a state-wide event called Georgia Gives Day. As the Youth Leadership Team, it's our aim is support an organization that means so much to us! That means, t he Youth Leadership Council and t he Yout h Ambassadors are bat t l ing it out t o see who can raise t he most money! From $720 t o $400, we have high goal s and we are cal l ing on YOU t o GIVE 21 in support of 21st Cent ury Leaders t his November 12t h! You can start by donating or sharing with a friend to bring awareness and support to our cause. Part icipat e now t hrough November 12t h t o hel p us reach our goal !

WATCH OUR STUDENT VIDEO BY OUR FELLOW LEADERS, THE YOUTH AM BASSADORS

#21CL TREN DING OUR PICKS FOR YOU M usic - D ow nload N ow !

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UPCOM ING 21CL EVENTS November 12th:

H otline Bling (Drake) O n M y M ind (Ellie Goulding) Can't Sleep Love (Pentatonix) T he H ills (T he Weekend)

#GIVE21 on GA Gives Day November 18th at 7:00pm:

Books Go Set a Watchman

#WebinarWednesday "Up Ahead" with Ryan Gravel.

Register

Featuring many of the iconic characters from To Kill a

NBA: Atlanta Hawks Go out to the November 7th game. Support our local team!

Did we mention that a Hawks game is included in 21CL's Goizueta Youth Leadership Summit?!?

Mockingbird, Go Set a Š Phot ographer Name

Sport s & Leisure

Watchman perfectly captures a young woman, and a world,

December 4th Deadline to submit GYLA nominations

in painful yet necessary transition out of the illusions of the past? a journey that can only be guided by one's own conscience.

December TBD: 21CL Summer Leadership Institute Applications Open (for current students) February 5-6, 2016: Goizueta Youth Leadership Summit (Emory University)

LET YOUTH V OI CES BE HEA RD