Leaders Today. Leaders Forever.

Five months ago, two fifth-grade girls submitted an application to the National Youth Leadership Council’s Youth as Solutions program. They had no idea where those applications would lead.

Since then, Melody Ellis and Kaylee Weissinger have completed every stage of the service-learning process. They investigated hunger in Wichita by interviewing nonprofit leaders and researching their community. They planned a project designed not only to provide a meal, but also to reduce stigma and increase awareness of local resources. They took action by raising more than $2,000, recruiting volunteers, publishing a children’s book, organizing a free community dinner, and serving approximately 170 meals. Along the way, they learned to solve problems, adapt to unexpected challenges, and lead with confidence.

After the project came reflection. They considered what they learned about hunger, leadership, teamwork, and themselves.

Tonight is the final stage.

Demonstration. For us, a true celebration.

Family, friends, volunteers, community partners, and supporters will gather to celebrate not only what Melody and Kaylee accomplished, but who they became through the experience. Their documentary will premiere, memories will be shared, and two young leaders will stand before the people who believed in them throughout this journey.

As I prepared for tonight, I found myself writing these words for them.

The 137th Day

137 Days
From your application
To your capstone

The moment you
Have earned
Standing before
The people who love you

19 weeks
137 days
88 hours (or more)
Growing
Creating
Inspiring
Learning
Leading

I hope you know
The power you held
For 137 days

And now for the rest
Of your lives

Remember the year
You became the leaders
You were always meant to be

Your beginning,
made of sparks,
to keep a fire burning for life.

Leaders today and forever.
—-

Tonight marks the end of this project, but it is not the end of their story. It is the beginning of a lifetime of leadership. I hope that years from now, Melody and Kaylee look back on these 137 days and remember not only what they accomplished, but what they discovered about themselves.

They are not the leaders of tomorrow.

They are leaders today.

And I cannot wait to see where they lead next.