Youth Leadership Counselor

Serving as a counselor for For the Strength of Youth (FSY) was one of the most transformative experiences of my life. My role was to guide, teach, and uplift youth while ensuring their safety and spiritual growth throughout each session. I also supported the leadership team with technical needs, helping manage logistics and tech-related challenges during conferences.

What stood out most to me was how deeply the youth needed someone who believed in them. Many of the young people I worked with struggled with self-worth and confidence. One question that consistently surfaced in conversations was, “Who is proud of you?” The more I asked, the more I realized how rarely they felt seen or valued. This realization led me to write a blog post titled "Who Is Proud of You?”, reflecting on the importance of showing genuine belief in others.

Beyond mentoring, I helped teach gospel principles and supported other counselors in improving their teaching and connection methods. I emphasized the power of discussion-based learning, creating conversations rather than lectures; so that youth could internalize truths more deeply and personally. This approach strengthened not only their understanding but also their confidence in sharing their beliefs.

FSY was also where I discovered country swing dancing. Within a single day, I learned 8–10 moves and began teaching them to the youth the next. That spontaneous learning moment sparked a passion that would later grow into one of my personal projects, countryswing.dallinking.com, where I continue exploring the social and creative side of dance.

Through FSY, I built lasting friendships and gained a deeper understanding of people: their struggles, hopes, and capacity for change. It taught me that leadership begins with empathy and that the most powerful way to lift others is to believe in their potential before they see it themselves.