Richard "Trey" Reffett National Young Leaders Conference (NYLC) alumnus Richard "Trey" Reffett experienced NYLC while attending LaSalle-Peru High School in LaSalle, IL. Trey received his first exposure to national politics and the federal government while attending NYLC. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from DePaul University in 2003 and a Master of Arts in Public Policy and Administration from Northwestern University in 2006.

Today, Trey is entering his sixth year as a member of Senator Harry Reid's staff. During his time on staff, Trey has worked on assisting Nevadans in maneuvering their way through the bureaucracy to apply for and be awarded federal grants through both the legislative and the appropriations process. Trey is currently a board member of the Congressional Legislative Staff Association. Before joining Senator Reid's staff, Trey worked for both Northwestern University and the Competence Group, a national political fundraising firm. He also worked in various capacities on multiple national, state and local campaigns, including the campaigns of such notable politicians as: former Senator Barack Obama, former Congressman Rahm Emmanuel, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, former presidential candidate Wesley Clark and Chicago Mayor Richard Daley.

Trey credits his experience at NYLC as the deciding factor in his decision to pursue public service as a career. He and his wife currently live in Washington, D.C.

Shaun Kupferberg After initially thinking that he was going to pursue a career in government or public policy, NYLC alumnus Shaun Kupferberg realized that he could apply the leadership skills he developed at NYLC in any profession. According to Shaun, leadership "can take many forms" and people lead "quietly, vocally, with humility, and with exuberance." As a result Shaun now has his dream job running the volleyball program at Jacksonville University in Florida. Shaun attended NYLC in 1995 and said that the experience was so influential, he still recalls almost every moment of his time in Washington, D.C. He credits the strong learning environment with humanizing, for him, the power of government, and for strengthening his skills in debate, leadership, and public speaking. However, for Shaun, his greatest memory of NYLC is of meeting his wife Erin. Erin was in his small meeting group, and when they returned home, they stayed close by writing letters, and eventually e-mails. The couple was married five years after meeting at NYLC. Today, Shaun and Erin live in Jacksonville, Florida with their two children.

Matthew La Corte As a huge hip-hop fan, Matthew La Corte, an alumnus of NYLC, was excited to hear news of a new Lupe Fiasco album. Nearly two years went on and no progress seemed to be made in releasing the album. La Corte grew suspicious and angry with Atlantic Records, Fiasco's record company, and participated in a petition with other fans. The petition demanded the release of the album. When this initiative failed, Matthew knew that something more drastic had to be done. In October of 2010, he co-organized the "Fiasco Friday" protest outside of Atlantic Records in New York City. They acquired the necessary permits, and contacted the press and police in order to ensure a safe and legal demonstration. Over 1,000 people RSVP'd to attend the protest. Bowing to the public pressure, Atlantic Records finally gave the album a release date prior to the protest. Over 250 energetic fans still came out to support the event, which was covered by MTV and the Village Voice. The organizers also had the support of numerous artists and blogs, and Lupe Fiasco himself came to the event to make an enthusiastic speech. Building on the success of Fiasco Friday, Matthew also co-organized Fiasco Friday II. This celebratory event featured local artist performances, a round-table discussion on the state of hip-hop, and over $1,000 in donations to an educational charity. By utilizing communication and leadership skills he practiced at NYLC, Matthew was able to make a positive impact by empowering music fans to let their voices be heard by a major corporation and enable an artist to share his work with the world.

Alex Boughton Alex Boughton started a Grassroots Project after attending the National Young Leaders Conference in 2010. An aspiring historian and public servant, Alex interviews seniors aged 80 and above within his community in an effort to record their living history and preserve their unique and individual legacy. Interview questions include basic questions like full name, marital status and number of children, as well as more meaningful questions such as how interviewees would like be remembered, and life lessons to share or how the world has changed in their lifetime. Alex provides each senior a copy of their full interview on a DVD and a copy remains in the ancestry archives at the town library. Through this process, Alex has helped many seniors capture their unique history for themselves, as well as for their children and grandchildren.

Amanda Freitag, NYLC Program Director I participated in NYLC as a junior in high school. Like many of you, I was nominated by a teacher who saw leadership potential in me. I felt honored to be recognized and selected to attend NYLC.

For me, NYLC was about meeting young leaders from across the nation and learning from them. Students at NYLC represent a variety of diverse backgrounds; learning about various viewpoints and regional differences throughout the Conference expanded my understanding of our country and my own beliefs. I learned about similarities and differences facing young people in other communities. I networked with my colleagues during socials and in NYLC's small group settings and practiced my communication skills during a plenary event by asking a question of one our accomplished speakers. I met some incredible people who were fun, intelligent and invested in their growth and development as leaders. As a high school student, being around such highly motivated peers raised the bar, challenging me to exceed my original goals and expectations.

My time at NYLC was truly life-changing  so much so that I wanted to work for NYLC and be a part of providing this incredible experience to other young leaders.

-Amanda Freitag

Tiffany Mathis, NYLC Program Coordinator Growing up in a small town, I never really had the chance to branch out. So when I was invited to the Conference, I jumped at the opportunity. In my ten days in DC, I sat on the floor of the House of Representatives, shook hands with my state's Senator, made incredible friends from all over the globe and realized my potential as a leader. As cliche as it sounds, the National Young Leaders Conference was life-changing.

After that summer, I came back to the District to intern with my state Representative, joined an election campaign and started studying political science at my university. NYLC was the foundation for my future and the starting point for my love of politics.

The impact of NYLC is so invaluable that eight years later, I came back to work with the Conference. And in my time here, I'm trying to find a way to give some of what of what I gained back to scholars.

Every NYLC experience will be different: It may be finding a new passion or making life-long friends. But one thing will be the same for every single scholar and that is a future with limitless possibilities.

-Tiffany Mathis

The NYLC Grassroots Project focuses on social responsibility and community service. This series of meetings is an opportunity for NYLC scholars to create a plan to lead change and create solutions for issues in their community. As students often see themselves as incapable of creating significant change, the grassroots meetings begin with activities designed to inspire confidence in the belief that they indeed have the skills necessary to lead impactful change in their communities.

When asked how attending NYLC impacted them, this is what our 2011 Grassroots Contest Winners had to say:

Spencer Ballantyne "NYLC gave me the tools and abilities to bring positive change...I learned to take initiative."

"I learned you can use your passion to make a difference."

Sierra Pizolla "I gained confidence. I spoke in front of my peers and public officials at NYLC, and that helped me speak in front of my school board to help get support for my project."

"I learned leadership, taking initiative and the importance of using my voice."

"Sometimes people don't think they can help but changing the world comes one step at a time."

Garrison Collier "NYLC taught me to leave my insecurities behind. What matters most is what you do with your life, not what others think about you."

"Don't think twice about doing something good for your community."

MacKenzie B. I loved meeting all the different participants from all over the country... I loved going to Capitol Hill, talking issues and meeting with people.

Marc R. NYLC was awesome. I went in March and I still talk to some of the friends I made there every day. I'm in AP US government and it's helped tremendously. I have a firsthand experience that everyone else in my class lacks (I got on the Senate floor just hours after the Healthcare Bill was passed!). Definitely one of the best times I've ever had. Highly recommended!

Jacqueline R. For anyone who is nervous or scared or not sure whether the want to go to NYLC, my word for you is GO! It was one of the best experiences of my life. Everyone is in the same boat as you are. Everyone is scared to meet people, but everyone is ready to learn. I've met some of the greatest people and the staff is so nice. I learned so much and I would never trade anything for the week I shared with NYLC. Thank you for giving me the best week of my life, thank you for teaching me so much, and thank you to the people who made it great.

Kayla S. OK so if you got a call or letter or were nominated to join the NYLC conference...TOTALLY GO!!! it was worth it when i went and was amazing. it opens your eyes and its the most wonderful experience. you get connected with your government and you create lifelong relationships. it all depends on you. GO to NYLC!!!

Samantha K. I attended in April 2009, and I absolutely loved it!!! It is an experience that I will never forget for the rest of my life! I am currently taking AP US History, and we were talking about the midterm elections, and being able to get to go on the floor of the House of Representatives was absolutely interesting. When we talk about current issues in that class, I am able to link my experience in NYLC with it, and my history teacher found it very interesting. Not only was it great politically, I also made a few friends that I am still in contact with today! I highly encourage anyone who gets invited to go, go! You will never forget it!!!

Anthony Z. Future NYLC this is an amazing experience, I wish that more people would know about this, if you're nervous don't be, I wanted to go home at first, and by the end of the session...I had a new home, I would go back in an instant! Make friends, have fun, and stay in touch with everyone you meet. I do! :)

Natalie N. It was... amazing! Seriously. I met so many wonderful people there that I hope to remain connected with for a very long time now. Not only that, but I got to learn so much about how our nation works, and now I'm taking that knowledge back to my school and teaching others about the NYLC experience and about national government systems. I'd recommend it to anyone who's invited! :D