Una Martone, President of Leadership Harrisburg Area, launched the final learning activities with an introduction of Mike Greenwald, Senior Advisor from WITF. Mr. Greenwald shared insights into impromptu speaking and developing a one minute presentation with impact. He shared techniques so the students can include a passionate story that will helps an audience remember the message. The students developed a one minute presentation on what YCDT and Rotary meant to them in preparation for graduation.

For graduation, Una Martone introduced each student and Karen Snider presented them with their class photo and graduation certificate. Each student also received a CD with photos from each session, articles from the eight learning sessions which were posted on the Rotary web site and their student summary of the learning activities from the "Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens," by Sean Covey. Each student presented their one minute impact speech to the class. Student comments included:

"When I first came, I was afraid to reach out beyond my school, but I learned right away that I can and that we all share ideas that can make a difference."

"Last year in YCDT I was quiet and didn't say much. This year I decided I could lead and I spoke up. I am much more confident as a leader than last year!"

"Some clubs they just have you show up to do service and they tell you what to do and where to go. YCDT makes us think about how we can solve problems and then we develop the solution."

"I loved Mr. Wendall." [Wendall Murray, Barrack, Inc.] "The activity that had us partner with someone and we each looked at each other then privately changed three things and looked again, made me realize how quickly we judge people by the way they look."

"I enjoyed being treated with respect and having my ideas listened to at YCDT. We decided that the issue of higher education was important to changing communities. And we did something about it."

"Thank you to all the volunteers and the Rotary for providing this opportunity. I plan to be a Rotarian as a business person."

Each student presented their thoughts on how the YCDT learning experience helped them learn leadership skills, be a better community person, learn to work as a team , how to make presentations how to raise money for a cause and how to make a difference. Jeannette Archer-Simons introduced the graduation speaker, David Botero, Chief Growth Officer from livid. Mr. Botero connected the student's names to history, musicians, community and family. He shared the principles that connect communities in leadership from the "Seven Leadership Imperatives of a Wild Man," by local author Joseph Robinson. The principles are Be Sure; Be Focused; Be Humble; Be Discerning; Be Complementary; Be Uncompromising; Be Encouraged. He linked each imperative to leadership skills that the students can use to continue their journey in making a difference, where ever they can.

As the meeting wrapped up the three student advisors that supported the program during the year, Mike Zielinski, Bishop McDevitt, Monica Gillis, Sci Tech High School and Valarie Goodman, Harrisburg High School and team building facilitator, Wendall Murray of Barrack Inc received a big thank you from the YCDT team. Una Martone also presented flowers to Karen Snider for ALL her work on YCDT and to incoming Chair, Jeannette Archer-Simons.

The year ended and a new year began with orientation for the next class later that same day. Forty -two students have been accepted into the program for 2009/2010, the largest YCDT class ever! Most of the students with a parent joined the YCDT team at the Harrisburg Regional Chamber of Commerce Conference Room to learn about expectations and possibilities for next year. In addition, a small summer assignment was made. The cycle of growing young leaders never ends in the Harrisburg Rotary. Please plan on joining in at the YCDT Retreat on September 15, 2009 from 10 - 2PM. Until then, have a great summer making a difference in other ways in service through Rotary!