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Home > Inside NAD > Youth > Youth Leadership Camp > Alumni

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YLC Alumni

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YLC 1971
**I am an alumni of YLC...I was a camper in '71 and '72. It was a wonderful experience for me and contributed greatly to my mastering ASL.  I was a young teen at the time and my exposure to sign language before then was minimal, at best.  I credit YLC, greatly, for giving me the opportunity of immersing myself and developing assertiveness skills that have carried me far.  Plus, you cannot beat the tranquility and beauty of Northern Minnesota. Jennifer Howell

**Hello....when I got into this website and looked at the pictures of you all...could not help it but became so envious ....wish I could be there sharing the great time with you all....MD School for the Deaf did not have Jr. NAD during the time I was there but thanks to a very generous Mr. Frank Turk...he invited me and my class to Gallaudet's CNAD in the spring of 1968 ....what a mind-blowing experience!  In 1971, Mr. Turk asked me if I wanted to work as a counselor at YLC in Minnesota, I accepted in a heartbeat ....It was one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had in my life. You are just fortunate to be there and experience what will be what I consider greatest guide to your future. Continue to have fun and I am there with you in spirit! Paula Jean Ammons (Counselor YLC Minnesota 1971)

**Hello,
I was a camper in 1971, what a riot.  I learned so much about myself and the deaf community.  Swan Lake Lodge was beautiful as was Pengilly, Minnesota.  But the best part was the staff, the visitors, the speakers and most of all the other campers.
Cedric Hathway,
soccerced@aol.com  (posted 2/19/03)

YLC 1972
**The summers of 1972 and 1973 at YLC (in Swan Lake Lodge, Minnesota) were the ones of my best summer memories.  For the first time in a long time, I had met other peers who could match my intellectual capabilities which I enjoyed.  I was among the first group that experienced through the Survivors Program.  Gained valuable experiences and confidence during my 2nd summer at YLC.  Made some great friends.  I heartily recommend this camp to prospective campers. with fond memories, Ira Rothenberg, North Hollywood, CA (
lonamstven@yahoo.com)

YLC 1975
**My name is Linda Mosca-Ginis... I was a YLC camper in 1975 and it was the BEST! I never forget the memories... I do miss some of the campers whom I haven't seen most for almost 30 years.  Let's have a reunion.... hope to hear from you.

**I join Linda Mosca-Ginis! We were 1975 campers. Yes, it was the BEST. Many of the campers I met at camp are still my long-time friends. We had a good group of staff.  They were Frank Turk, Gary Olson, Dwight Benedict, Marla Hatrak, Teresa Ezzell, Roger Claussen among others. The highlight of my YLC experience was the Survival Program.  Hope to meet some of you whom I have not seen in years at the reunion.   --Karen Sheffer-Tucker

YLC 1978
**As a former YLC'er myself, I'd like to add the following comments for your Alumni webpage:
"First off, I am very glad to know that the YLC program is still alive and well, because it probably is the best camp in the world for deaf youth to learn leadership as well as many other significant and educational tools especially from many well-rounded deaf leaders. Back in my old high school days, Model Secondary School for the Deaf offered to send me to YLC in Minnesota in 1978 but I almost declined. Dr. Frank Turk persauded me, and boy was I glad I listened to Frank Turk because I do give many credits to YLC for what I've become today. There, I learned many tools, which I still use today. To this date, I still remember it was one of my best summers. YLC is for any deaf kids who aspire to serve the deaf community Thank you, Al J. Noll, 1978 YLC

YLC 1979
**I am Bob O'Dare, Jr.  I went to NAD YLC from 1979 to 1983 and ALC in 1984.  In 1979, I was scared at Swan Lake Lodge camp in Pengilly, Minnesota because it was my first time.  I love water skiing. I know Roger Classen.  He was cooker in 1979-1980. Other the cookers are skilled too. I met Frank Turk. He is taught us about LEADERSHIP in 1979-1980. Our Blue Team is 2nd placed.  I lost the vote for president by Joey Baer from Maryland and now he lives in California.  In 1981, I went to YLC; Calisthenics leaders were Mike Wallace and Bonnie Williams. I leave from YLC at 2 am for Minneapolis-St. Paul airport.  I slept on the bus until daylight, and I saw Minnesota Twins stadium before HHH Dome. I am lucky that I went to Survival Program. When we hike in Survival Program, we were hot, Roger Classen, Dick Golden drove the truck and come to us. Dick brought us some sodas when we stopped hiking, but I don't like sodas but I drank little soda because I become cool.  I paddle and ride the canoe until arrived to Swan Lake Lodge. We ate brunch and I ate big breakfast. I ate 12 pancakes!!!  I went to Duluth.  The bridge weighs 900 tons!!! I toured the old trains, rode the ferry, and I ate 12 pizzas.  I went to racquetball tournament.  I lost in 1st round. I miss YLC and the staff. (Bodarejr@aol.com)

YLC 1980
**Hello YLC 80'ers! Enjoyed my days at Pengilly, MN that summer! Glad YLC is still going on and on, even moving from locaiton to location! Very impressed with the web page of each day's happening. I enjoy reading them! Way to go for my nephew, Tommy Parker, who's a YLC 2000 staff this summer. Are you having fun, Tommy? :) Barbara (Worek) Stanislow, NJ (Stanislow1@aol.com)

YLC 1983
**Hi friends! I enjoyed reading this web site as it bough back all the good memories back in '83 and ALC (Advanced Leadership Camp) '84. It was at Pengilly, Minnesota and Roger Claussen was the director. It was one of those best times I ever had in my life!! I was there when we celebrated the 15th Anniversary of YLC in 83! I am so glad YLC still exist because it is worth every time to spend! I am sure there is a lot of changed since (location, time (was 4 weeks of June), Daily Drum newsletter (still do it?) and etc.. I still missed some of my friends and staff there and I do hope we could have "reunion" someday!! Contact me if any of you remember me! : ) Laurie Monahan, former NJ, now Rochester, NY. YLC '83 and ALC '84. LRM30@aol.com

YLC 1995
**To: '95 YLCers! Miss you all! :) Wanna keep in touch, email me at
Sunnylot00@aol.com!! YLC '95 forever! :) *Lottie Cassese*

YLC 1996
**HI! This is Miranda Summerlin, YLC 1996. I did really thanked to YLC to teach me how to be leadership, teamwork, and a lot of learn how to work! I really miss my YLC CAMP, Staff, Campers, and foods! Haha! I want to everyone know who I am from 1996. Pls. contact with me! Here my email address is
Cute_Green7@hotmail.com THANK YOU!! Miranda Summerlin

**Merely by browsing YLC's Web pages, memories really flooded back to me! YLC 1996 seems like only yesterday, being so vivid in my memory! Attending YLC is one of the highlights of my life, and always will! ICE POWER!! The TIMBERWOLVES are howling....  Jason C. Lamberton. Proud 1996 YLC Alumni!

**ICE had the power... n' the "HANDS" ROCK - Champs of '96. Overall... YLC '96 RULZ! ShocWave24@aol.com

**Through my experiences in leadership situations and deaf advocacy, I often think of the time I spent at YLC '96. That summer was pivotal in shaping my identity as a deaf individual. Someday I hope to be a staff member so that I may too make the contribution of shaping people's lives.  Samuel L. Griffin, member of the group "Candle", is currently a student at the Savannah College of Art & Design in Savannah, Georgia where he is pursuing his master's degree in Architecture. If you wish to contact him, the emaill address is : sgriffin@scad.edu

**Hello. my name is jake merz and i just wanted to say that going to YLC really opened my mind to another world and another way of looking at things.   I remember all the good and bad times but i think that really helped us all learn about communicating and ourselves better as well as eachother. currently in school to become a teacher.. my goal is to teach deaf kids at the third or fourth grade level.  please contact me asap. I really would like to hear from all the staff and campers. that summer was a special summer and I wish we could all get together somehow and relive it a bit. heres my email: jm_merz@hotmail.com Thanks again for such a life changing experience.

YLC 1997
**I went to YLC in 1997... and I gotta tell everyone: It was a LOT better back then. No email available is the best way to go! Also, it was much better when YLC was one MONTH (4 weeks) long, rather than 3 weeks. YLC '97 Forever! Micah S. Brown

**Needless to say, YLC was one of the best experiences I ever had in my life. When I returned to YLC as a guest speaker recently (YLC 2000), the memories of being a YLC camper back in 1997 struck me. I'm proud of being a YLC alumni since it taught me a great deal about myself and what I can contribute to the Deaf community. Curious browsers- please take this time to encourage other deaf high school kids to attend YLC for it was WORTH IT! Go ROOTS! (Champs of 1997)- John Anthony Serrano YLC '97

**Hi there! YLC was one of my best experience in my life! If it was not for YLC, I won't know where I stand right now.  Its like a "golden opportunity" to attend there. No other camp can beat it!  I met so many people and I see most of them at Gallaudet. IT would be nice to have a reunion soon sometime! GO Roots! - Kathleen Ryan Peavy

YLC 1998
**Hey YLC '98! We
were the best of the best! I miss you all! YLC'00 this summer got me thinking about you all YLC'98ers. ILY! Love Thea REDWOODS! YLC'98!

**HELLO EVERYONE FROM YLC OF 98!!!!!! I MISS YOU ALL.. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING THRU ALL THOS PICTURES.. ITS MAKING ME SOOO JEALOUS THAT I WANT TO BE BACK THERE WITH YOU ALL!!!!!! LOVE AND MISS YOU ALL! CHRISTINA HORNUNG REDWOODS, YLC 98!!!!!!!!!

**Hey Ylc '98, It is been a long time that we have left Ylc as memories and I have never forgot what i have done there. I'm glad to be there because I have brought of alot leadership to home but I have fail myself to be a president but I did help them out because they knew that I have alot of experience which I have gone to YLC and other convention that they hae not go there. I would love to go back to YLC for a staff or whatever they offer me a way. and I would want to teach a young kids about leadership and teamwork. I want to said that GO DEEP IMPACT which that I have been in but we have work hard to reach the best point and also I want to said CABIN K RULZ!!!!! I dont want YLC '98 to be lost together and I want to us to be stick together as team!!!!! (CABIN K CHAMPS '98) YLC '98 FOREVER!!!! Love Joshua Vanik as YLC '98

**Looking back when I got out of the airport and approached a group of our other peers, boy, the butterflies dashed to side to another of my stomach, wondering will I blend in.. and we're all brothers 'n sisters at the end. Nothing can beat being at camp for 3 and half weeks.. its an ultimate adrenaline rush of transforming for me from old to new.. as I strongly advise those young high school students to get a dosage of endurance of leadership at ylc. Nucleus all of the way and oasis seekers-needless to say.. CHAMPS!!  Proudly '98 alumni.. Nancy McAnlis (jinx698@aol.com)

YLC 1999
**LONNNNNG LIVE YLC ('99...heehee) You guys were the BEST and you're in my heart, my memory and my soul... always.... thanks for the memories. Shout out to SUPERNOVA! YLC '99 FOREVER! xo jilly

**Hey all YLCers of '99! Sure do miss all of ya! The SUPERNOVAS and the TORNADOES... WE ROCK! Hope to see ya all soon! LOOOONG LIVE YLC '99 FOREVER!!! Davina

**Hi, you all, YLCers '99! I miss you all! It has been a year... I can't believe that! Time has flew so fast! Now that it's time for those new YLCers ('00) to learn so many new challenging experiences that we had and we are looking at them by now. They are having a lot of fun and is loving YLC as much as we do! They will have the exactly same feelings we had on the very last day.... of course, they will miss YLC so much just like we do! Looking at those pictures everyday really gives me a lot of great memories from last year. I will not ever forget them, ever and forever. LONG LIVE YLC '99!! I loved the last part we always do before we go to our cabins saying this words... Y L C ' 9 9 GOOD NIGHT! MMM! Feels so great to say it again! Ha ha! =o ) Ok, you all please take care and I really hope I'll see you anytime in the future. If you're attending NTID this fall, I'll see you there! T'care! Miss ya all! ANTS rules!! =o ) Jenny Heisler

YLC 2000
**Heyy YLCers of 2000, miss ya guys bunchies. I'm thankful that YLC accepted my application. We had the best best of time and it will be always cherished! Luvv OO Roundtables and Pine Cones! Long LIVE YLC '00! xoxoieos Shay Daniels

**Long Live YLC '00!!! it was an unforgettable month... EgnimaBusters, we rule!! luv ya'll! And of course--Trail Mix- Thank you YLC for giving us wonderful memories and the opportunity to make new friends--and to you future YLCers, best wishes ;) "SECOND!!!" ~*Paula Clark*~

**Hey u all who was in YLC 2000, just wanna to say that I miss u already! and I hope there will be a YLC 10-year reunion cuz I want to see u all again! Including my group, ROUNDTABLES '00!!! We are always number one!!!! Remmy YLC is the BEST! Nothing can ever change it!!!! I hope I can go there again as a  STAFF and teach the kids to be a LEADER! YLC RULZ and I LOVE U ALL!!!! even u, Maureen, my YLC director! and my staff friends KIT, hazelgal02@hotmail.com, please keep in touch!!  APRIL ANTONIO

**Hey y'all!  It's amazing to watch new, awkward ylcers goes through what we went through a year ago.  We couldn't even find the perfect word to describe our wonderful, unforgettable expriences...That month was the best time in our lives.  We grew and went through many things together. I luv y'all! BRILLO PAD n TRAIL MIX ROCKS!  LONG LIVE YLC '00! mwahies, Carrie Lindeman

**Hey YLCers '00!!! The memories are still as fresh as they were a year ago! Who could ever forget the amazing, wonderful times we all went through together?! We experienced something unforgettable together, and that one month is destined to remain in our hearts forever! Hard to believe that more than a year has gone by and that we're watching YLCers of 2001 going through the same thing. They will feel the same heartbreak as we did when they leave the beloved campground! I love you all!! TRAIN and TOW TRUCK  ALL  the WAY!! L O N G  LIVE  YLC 2000!!! _\m/, Jessica Meehan

YLC 2001
**'I know I'm wayyyy too early to say all of this... but I couldn't resist putting something proudly in the alumni page... I'll always remember GEMS and FIREHEART... "new sign"... YLC GOODNIGHT... MISS YLC 2001.... Sadie Hawkins with Johnny K... "show"....... "SECOND"....being EIC... YLC Flag...  and YLC itself ... Rosie the Fairy will  be thinking of each and every one of your YLC 01 souls... Love you all, and stay real! OX'

**YLC.... incomparable  ~mowl~  (posted 2/3/02)

**Hmm. I swore to myself that I will post a YLC alumni message every summer... And guess what? I did!! Grins.
WOW! WOW! WOW! Tears are filling up in my eyes as I browse around the YLC picture page. I utterly can't believe it's YLC '03!!! I swear, I thought it was only last summer when I went to YLC but, no, it is two years ago!! UNBELIEVABLE! *mutters* No words could describe. Darn, words fail me once again! Anyhoo.. Oh, yeah, I'm that old now! ;)
Hey.. know what? Now, I've been sitting back, sipping iced tea, chuckle and reminscing on my own memories as I watch new YLCers yakking away about their priceless YLC experiences. *sigh*
Now, I'm coming around to the terms where I'm starting to accept that I can't be at YLC every summer. I guess pictures on the site and sending/recieving letters aren't so bad. :D
Best of luck finding your new love, new friends, getting new experiences and just about everything that comes in with YLC! :)
My heart goes out to CATEPILLAR (and everyone else in YLC '01)
Annalee Laird
AGAlee12@aol.com (posted 1/6/04)

**Hey~!~ I am YLCer 01' I miss you all! A whole year has passed by and it was already a new YLC 2002 session. Already we are as an alumni! I can't believe that! I miss all of things that we've done. Being with RUBBERBAND~*~HATCHET~*~.. I miss to doing things that we had done. Keep in touch! Sabrina..  my e-mail address is StarZzSabby2003@aol.com.. you all are welcome to talk with me if u want to! (posted 7/26/02)

YLC 2002
Hello my following beautiful people! I believe my experience at Youth Leadership Camp, located at Stayton, Oregon was absolutely unforgettable. During my stay, times have went by extremely fast, definitely much faster and crazier than a roller coaster! Don't worry parents, I meant that in a very civilizing way. If I were to describe YLC in only one word, it would be 'Fun-tastically crazy, an epic that engraves in everyone's minds for the better!'. Well okay… Maybe no one can describe YLC with only a word! Oh the insanity! Thank you YLC and friends for making me a summer I can never forget! Shout outs to my group, the Rice! The proud camper of 2002, Christopher Clyde Catron (posted 2/19/03)


Hello YLC02'ers! I never forget this CHAMP moment! I mean it! Thank you for everything that really exposed me and our ylc campers too... When I met new people and this is so AWESOME EXPERIENCE! I will never forget you all! Important, I will see yall in RIT or Gally or CSUN or Everywhere! When I arrived home form YLC. I felt so different. I felt like I didnt live in TX and all I thought that I lived in Oregon. Those YLCers are my special unique friend. I felt so bonded with you all. Even YLC staffs too...Thank you for everything that you threw at me and others. I will see some of you later in life! I Love You ALL!!!!
Hugs oxoxies
~Martha Anger~ Mirror CHAMP all the way! GO Rice, Map, Clay, and ITCH! Long Live YLC 02'.. You all can contact me at
Hotmoonrock03@aol.com (posted 1/6/04)


Hello my fellow campers! Rice, Mirror, Map and Clay! How can I ever forget you all? The days we've been through together, bad and happy times... I wonder, which other times in your high school era is better than YLC? Let me think, i have to admit, nothing! Absolutely nothing beats YLC! Thanks to the staff and the campers for making 02 the best summer i ever had! Take Care You All!
Arthur Joseph Hess (posted 1/6/04)

 

YLC 2005
Back to OREGON from a long travel from different places (South Dakota and Florida). I am from the east coast (Massachusetts) When I arrived at Oregon, I saw and I thought it was the MOST greenest state ever in my whole life. Pine Trees are all over around the campus of Camp Taloali. Let’s go V-FLY!!! We flied all over the camp! But inside of me, NAD YLC 2005 Teams all ROCKS!! V- Fly, Twister, Nile, Popcorn and Firestrikers! We will never forget that summer; we are a giant family with true bonding of brothers and sisters.

We had a wonderful Camp Director Jennifer Yost Ortiz who makes this camp a REALLY AMAZING memories that we all have. The days we have gone through together with all bad and happy memories. Nothing in my mind could beat YLC. I must say thanks to everyone who attended NAD YLC 2005 and making this summer the best in my whole life. I suggest for the non-YLCers...PLEASE go to NAD YLC!

To NAD YLC 2005, let’s do this once again....Y-L-C-0-5 Good Night!!!

Keep in touch!!

TOZ


Hello '05 Campers; the Twisters, V-fly, Nile, and the last but not the least, the Popcorns!  I sure did miss all of you guys, I sure did miss the Firestrikers too!  I couldn't ask for a better bunch of campers and staff, they're already the BEST!  How can I begin?  Being on an airplane for the first time was exciting, and on top of that... going to the WEST coast for a month without my family and touching the pacific ocean for the first time was even more exciting!  Anyway, back to the point... We all went through good and bad times together, and yet we made it through without getting sick of each other... which is good.  At the end, we all developed a strong bond towards each other.  Also, we still knew how to have fun even though there was a flu spreading around camp.  Last of all, lets throw our hands up in the air and give many thanks to Jennifer Yost-Ortiz for making this year a worthwhile experience for all of  us. She did dedicate a lot of time to make this a never-forgetting month.  YLC will never leave my heart! Go TwIsTeRs!  LONG LIVE YLC '05!  I can't end here without saying our tradition.... YLC '05 GOOD NIGHT!

keep in touch!

<3 Donna


How could I forget YLC...? It's my currently TOP favorite all around camp right now!  Twister, Popcorn, V-Fly, Nile & Firestrikers -- I miss you ALL!  I'd NEVER NEVER & NEVER forget you all!  Keep in touch!!  Show what you have @ your school!

2005 will ALWAYS BE THE BEST & REMEMBERED FOREVER!

Frances <33

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