My Envision experience started back when I was a freshman in high school. I was invited to attend the National Young Leaders State Conference in Albany, New York. While there, I began my leadership journey and met many students from around the state. I began to learn and understand the importance and qualities a great leader has.
The same school year, I was invited to attend the National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, DC. I knew that this conference would have a same background to the previous one, and that it would provide me with even more insight to the leadership community. And it did just that. Over the course of nine days, I made lifelong friendships with people from across the country that couldn't match friendships I've made with people I knew back home in nine years. My leadership mindset was transformed as I interacted in different group activities and problem-solving simulations. It was an amazing trip for me and it wouldn't end there.
In 2013, I was again invited to attend the National Young Leaders Conference I attended the prior year - my third conference in two years! Walking into it, I knew what to expect which helped me boost my confidence when assuming the role as a group leader. My Envision journey would not end here either.
In July 2014, I attended my fourth conference, the National Youth Leadership Forum Engineering & Technology conference in Boston, Massachusetts. I have an interest in the field of engineering so when the invitation for this conference, I jumped right on it. NYLF Engineering & Technology focused on different fields of engineering such as robotics, and aerospace engineering, as well as leadership skills. Throughout the week, I took part in a variety of workshops in which we built robots with Legos, visited MIT and historic Quincy Market. My favorite part of the conference was creating a concept design of a new invention. My groups’ invention would be a laptop case that charges your computer. We presented it in front of 300 kids and had a blast doing so! NYLF Engineering & Technology put me in touch with the field of engineering like nothing ever has.
My Envision experiences have shown me the importance of hard work and teamwork, as well as what it takes to become a great leader. I know I can accomplish anything I set my mind to as long as I push past the obstacles that try to hold me back. I tell myself that, “The sky has no limits as long as there are footprints on the moon.” I am positive that I will go far with the knowledge I acquired out of these four conferences.
#BeAwesomeBeAmazing
- Paul Maitner
Bio:
Paul Maitner is a four-time alumnus of Envision programs. National Young Leaders State Conference in 2011, National Young Leaders Conference in 2012 and 2013 and National Youth Leadership Forum Engineering & Technology in 2014. He looks forward to college in 2015.
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