National Young Leader's Day

On Tuesday 29 May we were lucky enough to attend the National Young Leader's Day which was held at the Regent Theatre in Palmerston North.  Our teacher asked us to identify the speaker/s that we connected with the most; how we felt being selected out of 25 Year 8 students; and the one thing we were going to make sure we did or changed, as a result of hearing the speakers.

Sam's impressions:
The best speakers were Dave Atkinson and Cam Calkoen.  Dave spoke about making sure the job you wanted to do was fun and not to give it up if it was!  Cam was inspirational.  Even though he had a disability, he proved people wrong and achieved heaps.

I felt very honoured and privileged to have been chosen.  Being selected to go to Young Leader's is not something to be taken for granted.

Like Cam, I want to prove people wrong about what I can achieve - especially with my cycling.

Jemma's impressions:
Cam had a disability but never let it stop him from being successful - in fact, he could do some things better than others.  He said that "if you dream it, and believe it, then you can achieve it!".

I feel really good about being selected.  It's neat to know that I was selected as a leader and it has given me more skills and inspiration to do other things.

I want to help people find their spark and abilities.

Connor's impressions:
My favourite speaker was Cam.  He said "to build a dream and the dream will build you".  He inspired me because of what he has achieved from primary school to now.

Cool! Awesome! Two words to describe what it was like to be picked out of a whole bunch of people.

I want to spend more time with the friends I have made out of school that used to be here.  They were good friends.

Leah's impressions:
Cal talked about being bullied and we can all relate to that at different times.  He was funny and enjoyable to listen to.  I liked what he said about dreaming it, believing it and then achieving it.

Being selected gives me confidence that people trust me.

I want to try and include more people in the things I do, I want to help them with what they want to be.