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Reagan, Walker, and Schlapp Motivate High School Students in Santa Barbara
By Madison Habersetzer, Conference Co-Director
“T hank you for giving us, the next generation, an opportunity to gain knowledge and support in our venture to preserve and improve America,” remarked American Heritage Academy student Isaak Spencer following his participation in Young America’s Foundation’s October High School Conference at the Reagan Ranch. This sentiment was representative of the thoughtful reflections offered by the future leaders who traveled to this program from as far away as Virginia.
YAF welcomed students from 15 states and 60 schools for this weeklong gathering of young conservatives.
Made possible by a leadership gift from the Richard and Barbara Gaby Foundation, the conference began with a fitting dinner banquet featuring Michael Reagan, who inspired students with stories of his father, President Ronald Reagan. “He had a message that people could embrace and get behind, and people could trust him,” remarked the younger Reagan.
During the program, students heard from YAF’s longestserving faculty member, historian, and author Dr. Burt Folsom, who enlightened the audience with an engaging history lesson about the early entrepreneurs who helped build America.
British rapper Zuby, speaking at his first-ever YAF conference in Santa Barbara, reflected on the “20 Things I Learned About (Continued on page 18)
— isAAk spencer, lAs vegAs, nevAdA
Matt Schlapp, chairman of the American Conservative Union, delivers an inspiring address during the Wendy P. McCaw Reagan Ranch Roundtable, held in conjunction with YAF’s student conference.
YAF alumna and National Review Staff Writer Alexandra DeSanctis Marr speaks at her first-ever Young America’s Foundation conference.
Michael Reagan, son of President Ronald Reagan, meets with student Rebecca Phillips following his remarks.
YAF Vice President and Director of the Reagan Ranch Andrew Coffin introduces a special conference session—held at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library due to the Alisal Fire, which precluded a student tour of the Reagan Ranch.
(Continued from page 16) Humanity During the Pandemic.” Encouraging students to stand strong for their personal freedoms, Zuby warned, “When sufficiently frightened, most people will not only accept authoritarianism, but demand it.”
Visiting the Reagan Ranch during a YAF conference and walking in President Reagan’s footsteps is a rite of passage for young conservatives nationwide. While attendees at this particular program were not able to participate in this experience due to the recent Alisal Fire, the leadership of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum in Simi Valley welcomed YAF’s students for a memorable visit. This unique excursion included tours of the museum and Air Force One Pavilion, as well as a visit to President Reagan’s gravesite and Gold Star Memorial.
While in Simi Valley, students enjoyed hearing an insightful interview—conducted by YAF Vice President and Director of the Reagan Ranch Andrew Coffin—with Rear Admiral JJ Quinn, who served as Naval Aide to President Reagan and currently serves as a member of the Reagan Ranch Board of Governors.
After returning from the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum, students attended a dinner banquet featuring YAF President Governor Scott Walker, who discussed the influence Ronald Reagan had on his personal growth and career in the Conservative Movement.
Conference attendees also heard from The King’s College Executive Vice President and Fox News Contributor Brian Brenberg. In a lively session, Brenberg discussed the power of economic liberty to afford greater prosperity for all Americans.
On the heels of Brenberg’s motivational remarks, American Enterprise Institute Senior Fellow Ian Rowe participated in an interview with YAF Conference CoDirector Madison Habersetzer. Titled “School Choice, Personal Responsibility, and the American Dream,” this session offered students a framework, FREE—which stands for family, religion, education, and entrepreneurship— developed by Rowe for young people to achieve success in life.
The October High School Conference also featured the Wendy P. McCaw Reagan Ranch Roundtable, held at the
YAF President Governor Scott Walker meets with students (from left) David Jones, Parker Ahlander, Lance Pendleton, Brooklyn Wirig, Samuel Blonquist, and Josie Ballard.
Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort. Joining hundreds of YAF students and supporters, American Conservative Union Chairman Matt Schlapp delivered the keynote address. Schlapp, who also serves as chairman of the Conservative Political Action Conference—co-founded by YAF— underscored the importance of promoting objective truths and challenging the Left’s attempts to redefine language and science. He urged students,
Speak up. God gave you a voice. He gave it to you for a reason. You’ve got to use it…If we stand up for this country, we can save this country…You’ve got to be this warrior generation.
Students also enjoyed the opportunity to hear from podcast host Liz Wheeler, who offered ten reasons why students should reject transgender ideology; educator Dr. Jake Jacobs, who reminded students that they are the “keepers of the flame of liberty”; YAF alumna and National Review Staff Writer Alexandra DeSanctis Marr, who urged students to protect the unborn; financial executive George Harbison, who delivered a moving presentation about the victims of socialism; and Director of Jihad Watch Robert Spencer, who offered an analysis of the foreign policy crisis in Afghanistan.
The program concluded with a crash course on campus activism, teaching students how to boldly advance the ideas they learned at the conference in their schools and communities.
Selah Graham, a homeschool student from Elyria, Ohio, stated about her experience at the conference,
I feel better prepared to fight for this freedom that I hold so dearly. I also feel better equipped to fight for my principles, conservative values, and rights.
Like Graham, her fellow students who attended the October High School Conference departed Santa Barbara with a greater appreciation for conservative principles and the values upon which America was founded.
Conference attendees receive a copy of Dr. Jake Jacobs’ book—Mother, Should I Trust the Government?—following his remarks during the program.
Conference attendee Kainoa Mark meets with American Enterprise Institute Senior Fellow Ian Rowe during the program. Melany Wallace (right) enjoys meeting podcast host Liz Wheeler following Wheeler’s speech.
Students Alexandra Wong and Olivia Conlee visit the Berlin Wall exhibit, displaying an original piece of the Berlin Wall, at the Reagan Ranch Center.
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