A Heartfelt Encounter with Antonio
Every so often, life surprises us with a moment of clarity and gratitude. I recently experienced one when I ran into Antonio, a former member of the San Joaquin Valley Young Leaders Organization (YLO), 25 years after his time in the program.
YLO was started by my father Bill and his long-time ranching partner, Henry, as a tribute to my brother Jad, who died in a car accident at 23. Determined to create something positive from their loss, they believed that kids from two rural San Joaquin Valley towns could benefit from opportunities to expand their horizons.
My dad, who had grown up in Scouts, fashioned YLO after that model as a three-year outdoor leadership program. It was a social experiment to see if instilling confidence and leadership skills in high-potential, yet disadvantaged youth could equip them to raise the bar in their lives and in their communities. Privately funded and at no cost to families, the 3 year program offered students 36 monthly immersive adventures throughout California. Over 27 years, we touched the lives of approximately 500 teens, believing strongly in their potential to overcome the odds. I was raised helping plan and lead YLO activities, and I was honored to serve as its volunteer executive director for many years.
Antonio was 12 when he joined, eager to learn and grow. Like many others, he participated in outdoor adventures, etiquette lessons, and other training that aimed to equip him with the skills and confidence to become a young leader. But, hearing his story all these years later reminded me just how transformative those experiences can be—not just for a career, but for life itself.
As we caught up, Antonio shared how much the program had shaped him. Through activities that stretched his comfort zone, like outdoor challenges and public speaking exercises, he learned resilience and persistence. Lessons on etiquette, writing thank you notes, offering direct eye-contact and a firm handshake- taught him the importance of thoughtfulness and leadership presence.
These were life lessons that Antonio carried forward, influencing how he approaches his work, relationships, and community. Today, Antonio is a successful traveling nurse. It’s not just his skills that stand out—it’s the way he conducts himself with humility, respect, and genuine care for others. He credits YLO for showing him what leadership truly means: the spirit of service and always striving to improve.
As Antonio shared his story, I couldn’t help but feel a wave of emotion. Standing there, both of us in tears, I was struck by the profound impact that this program could have on a life. To know that something I was part of 25 years ago could leave such a lasting impression filled me with gratitude and awe.
Antonio’s story is a testament to the power of investing in young people—not just in their skills, but in their character. Programs like YLO don’t just prepare future leaders; they help create better humans.
To Antonio: thank you for sharing your journey and reminding me of the ripple effect that small, meaningful actions can have. Thank you for proving that the work we do to guide and mentor young people truly matters.
Here’s to creating more moments like this and more leaders like Antonio—people who make the world a better place simply by being in it.