Los Alamos Youth Leadership members decorated County transformer boxes around downtown Los Alamos among other projects this year. Courtesy photoLAYL News:
Los Alamos Youth Leadership (LAYL) is a high school student organization, which begins in August and ends in May each year. Students build relationships with family and friends, and increase their confidence. Teams design, plan and implement projects that benefit the community throughout the year.
LAYL registration has been extended to July 10. The registration forms can be turned in at the Family YMCA. The application can be downloaded here. LAYL is supported by the Juvenile Justice Advisory Board (JJAB), Los Alamos National Bank (LANB) and the Family YMCA. Those wishing more information may email questions to layl@laymca.org.
The First Step Orientation is Aug. 3-4 and will be an overnight camping event. Sean Hall will lead the team-building session the first day. The following day will be a physical challenge for the students to break out of their comfort zones.
Last year, LAYL had their First Step Orientation in August at Camp Shaver. The group was divided into three teams, AC/DC, TMNT, and Team the Best. The students decided what community projects they would like to accomplish for the school year. The following is a list of major projects accomplished last year:
- Fundraiser Car Wash and Bake Sale in September at LANB. Part of the proceeds were donated to Big Brothers/ Big Sisters of Northern N.M. and to Adopt-A-Family for the Holidays;
- Homecoming Bonfire;
- Reading Challenge ─ Reading with and discussing the importance of reading with K–Grade 2 students at Barranca Mesa Elementary;
- Wreaths Across America ─ Laying of wreaths on Veterans’ graves at Santa Fe National Cemetery;
- Led three Raffle & Spirit Challenge Assemblies during Los Alamos High School Basketball Season;
- Wild Day, an event where elementary age children spend a Saturday day with high school students playing games and completing an arts and crafts project; and
- Transformer Project ─ The group painted and decorated transformer boxes around downtown Los Alamos.
One very special project was completed in May by Team TMNT. It was the purchase and installation of four bike racks at Sullivan Field, East Park, the Community Building and the Paul Spirio Field in White Rock. Jenna Erickson led the Bike Racks Project.
“I will never forget the incredibly rewarding experience that I had being the youth leader of the project to place bike racks around White Rock and Los Alamos,” Erickson said. “It means a lot to be able to be a part of something that will be around for a long time and that people will really enjoy.”
One of four bike racks purchased and installed around the County by Team TMNT of Los Alamos Youth Leadership. Courtesy photo.