Do you know your purpose in life? What about your power? Your voice?
How did you discover it and what advice would you give someone else on finding theirs?
These are all genuine questions I asked myself as I prepared to attend my third youth leadership conference with After-School All-Stars and fully immerse myself in the 2024 All-Star Leadership University (ASLU) theme and focus: Level Up – My purpose. My power. My voice.
What is ASLU?
The week-long youth leadership conference brought All-Star mentors and student leaders from across the U.S. to the University of Central Florida to explore their strengths as leaders, discover their voice, and make an impact in their community through their unique purpose in life.
The workshops and activities at ASLU challenged comfort zones in public speaking and presentation, ignited advocacy through passion projects, and served as platforms for our mentors and students to gain a deeper understanding of their capabilities and potential.
Part of Something Bigger
My self-reflection sparked by the 2024 ASLU theme prompted me to assess my own journey and pinpoint major events that helped lead to my discovery. I was transported back to my first ASLU experience in 2019 where I returned with an unforgettable feeling of confirmation that I was on the right path of finding and achieving my unique purpose.
I went as a mentor with two of my former students, both fellow Latinas, who had never traveled by plane, and all our first time in California. I knew After-School All-Stars was a nation-wide organization, but to be physically present in one place with All-Stars from all over the country truly hit different.
I returned home knowing I was part of something bigger than me and this wasn’t just any after-school program.
Influence and Impact
My 2019 ASLU experience allowed me to fully grasp the magnitude of my influence and impact as a youth mentor and instilled a deep sense of fulfillment knowing the work I was doing was truly making a difference in the lives of students, many of whom I have the honor of keeping up with to this day!
Fast forward five years to All-Star Leadership University 2024—that sense of purpose, power, and passion has only grown and deepened, even as my role has shifted from a mentor working with youth first-hand to a social media manager telling their stories and capturing impact through content creation.
Final Thoughts
All-Star Leadership University serves as an important reminder that the intentionality we pour into the experiences and opportunities we provide to mentors and students we serve year-round can be the catalyst in igniting passions, building confident and resilient leaders, and helping them discover their unique life calling.
It is incredibly rewarding to watch All-Stars throughout the week at ASLU go from being nervous and reserved to confident, shining leaders. We are tremendously grateful to our ASLU planning committee, the entire team at ASAS Orlando for hosting, and every single person who helped make this year’s ASLU possible!
Best,
Sara
PS. You can see more ASLU photos here.
PPS. And be sure to check out our recap video!
