A delegation of St. Paul’s School students attended the Louisiana Youth Seminar in Baton Rouge on LSU’s campus July15-20 to develop leadership skills.

“LYS is a life-changing experience that has helped build me as a person and a leader,” said  delegate senior Brett Pellisier.

The Louisiana Youth Seminar was established in 1971 as a summer leadership camp for high school students. Every year, LYS  is held at Louisiana State University for one week in July. During this week, students participate in many activities which focus on leadership skills  including effective communication skills, setting and achieving goals, team building, understanding and accepting others, developing self-confidence, conducting effective meetings, and problem-solving skills. LYS delegates meet  people from across the state, learn how to achieve life goals, and compete in good-natured yet challenging projects.

“You build a bond with people that you usually wouldn’t bond with and become a family with them. You can totally be yourself without anyone judging you,” said Pellisier.

St. Paul’s students received high honors at the seminar. Senior Brett Pellisier was awarded Most Outstanding Delegate in his home group. Senior Connor Mahony was elected Tory Party president by half of the over 300 student delegation.

Other students who attended the seminar were Brian Broussard, Alex Autin, Christian Neal, Kevin Durr, Willis Spurlock, Zachary Richard, Christian Caragliano, Eric Boudet, Matt Landry, and Evan Wellmeyer. Delegates are usually leaders from their school recommended by staff or former delegates, but anyone can sign up to go. On LYS staff are St. Paul’s alumni William Neal, Zach Barnett, Will Barnett, Will Syll, and John-Gernon Glorioso. New staff members are selected each year and are outstanding delegates selected from the previous year’s delegation.

Students seeking more information on LYS, or how to attend next year’s seminar should visit louisianasbest.org.