National Young Leaders Day

National Young Leaders Day

On the 26th of May a group of determined young leaders were given the opportunity to be inspired by five incredible speakers that all had a dream that they wanted to achieve. They all spoke incredible speeches about their adventures and struggles in the past and now. They taught us some, even, life-saving things. These wisdomised speakers all spoke from experience. they all know what it is like to complete and achieve a dream that is humongous!

The bus came to a halt at the Michael Fowler Center and we breathed in the fresh air. We were excited, you could see it on everyones face, we didn't know what to expect All of the students scuttled into the grand building eager to find out what awaits them. Everyone shot up the stairs and hurriedly barged into a large stage like room. We sat down in plush wooden seats and waited impatiently for our first speaker.

The first speaker we had was an extraordinary man called Jamie Fitzgerald. In 2007 Jamie became the first kiwi to reach the  South Pole unsupported on foot with his best mate Kevin Biggar. He created media attention by going on a 52 day expedition over the Atlantic ocean in a rowing boat. Jamie still holds the World record.  He says even if it looks like you are making the least progress you are actually making the most! He taught us that even if your dream is completely out of the box just do it, because anything is achievable.  

Our second speakers name was Charlie Laumatia who explained about the importance of friendship, trust and striving to be at your full potential. Charlie was a attitude senior presenter he has studied science and psychology and has spoken to over 130,000 students like ourselves. He taught us about how our personality and traits were passed down through generations of our parents but that didn't mean that we would be 100% like them. Charlie strongly believed that everybody can change that nothing is set in stone.

Our third speaker was the super women Rebekah Campbell, the founder of Posse. com. As a 13 year old she never really knew what she wanted to become, and in the end she became an entrepreneur, someone who starts up a business and then if she does not enjoy her job anymore she can then sell her business and start a new one. Rebekah has had many jobs and has made a lot of profit of it.  

Half way through we had some very special guests talk to us for our entertainment, these guests were known as the Laughing Samoans. The Laughing Samoans were world famous comedians. They had traveled all over the world performing and acting and there shows were always sold out It was such a treat for us to meet them!

Our 4th speaker was the inspiring Rachel Taulelei founder and ceo of Yellow Brick Road. Her passion was fishing so this was where her idea of yellow Brick Road came to life. Yellow Brick Road is a fish market that links fisherman to restaurant owners. Her idea for yellow brick road was to bring fisherman and fish-buyers closer together; the way that she accomplished this was by knowing the fish market and where the fish was being supplied from. She wanted to accomplish this so that a restaurant diner knew where their food was being supplied from.

Our 5th speaker was the amazing and inspiring young man named Cam Calkoen. Cam was born with cerebral palsy this means that communication from his brain to his muscles had speed bumps, his thoughts get excited alot;

this causes his voice to sound different and his movement to be unsteady.

Cam was an athlete in training for the paralympics but he pulled out because he wanted to become an inspiring speaker. Cams favourite word was amazing and he told us how everybody is amazing and you're good at everything.

Quotes:

Everybody can change

You can be whatever you want to be

Leadership is thinking on your feet

Leadership is 20 seconds of insane courage

Ask yourself will I set down my anchor or keep rowing

Barriers don’t exist they are imaginary

By Todd and Helena