Advocacy. Service. Leadership. You! These were the focus points of this year’s All-Star Leadership University in Orlando, Florida — our first in-person youth conference since 2019!
All-Star Leadership University (ASLU) is an annual youth leadership retreat that unites students and mentors from across the nation to develop their strengths as leaders, build friendships and connections, and map out strategies to make an impact in their communities.
The week-long conference was hosted by the University of Central Florida this year, and it consisted of various workshops and activities that helped student leaders and mentors find their voice and tell their story.
“ASLU gives a group of talented and determined youth an in-depth immersion program to be the leaders of tomorrow. ASAS Orlando is honored to host chapters from all over the U.S. and provide opportunities to continue cultivating their leadership skills they can take back with them.” —Dan Toffoli, Executive Director, ASAS Orlando
Key partners and facilitators included Simon T. Bailey, Marc John Jefferies, the PLUS Me Project, Whisps snacks, and All-Star alumni from ASAS Orlando and ASAS South Florida.
Keynote speaker Simon T. Bailey inspired All-Stars to discover their brilliance and become confident presenters with the power of CAKE: Confidence, Authenticity, Knowledge, and Enthusiasm. Actor Marc John Jefferies hosted acting workshops that fostered student’s talents and challenged them to get out of their comfort zone.
Long-time program partner PLUS ME Project hosted workshops for both students and mentors: helping students discover the power of their personal stories, as well as partnering with mentors to create learning environments where youth can feel safe sharing their stories.
Whisps led an engaging and educational activity that taught students how to understand nutrition labels and create healthy pantries on a budget. Participants also had the unique opportunity to hear stories from and engage with All-Star alumni who spent their youth with ASAS and are now serving the organization as employees.
“All-Stars saw something in me before I saw it in myself. They gave me so many opportunities to lead and experience things I never would have gotten to do without them” —Angelica Ortiz, ASAS Orlando Alum & Staff
The inspiring and impactful week ended with a full day at Disney’s Magic Kingdom (sponsored by Disney!), capping this unique opportunity with a memorable experience for our All-Stars.
Students and mentors left ASLU feeling empowered, inspired, and ready to serve as leaders.
We are incredibly grateful to our ASLU planning committee, the entire team at ASAS Orlando, and every single person who helped make this year’s ASLU possible!
