The Tennessee Leadership Seminar was an incredible experience, and I had so much fun.  I went into the weekend with my two best friends from my school.  I thought that I would be attached to them the entire weekend.  I got there early because one of my friends that I rode with was a junior staffer, Lauren Flanders, and she had to be there at 8:00am when the ambassadors weren't suppose to arrive till 1:00pm. As I sat in the lobby looking around at all the junior staffers I saw how close their friendships were and that's the one thing I had hoped to get out of this weekend, great friendships. Registration time came around and I was put next door to the other friend, Megan Ogle, I rode up with. I was real excited.
   First ambassador down to the gym and I see all these tables set up and all of a sudden my heart was in a frenzy. I was told that I was a fish, at the time I had no idea what that meant. My group leader, David Young, was the first person to talk to me and asked me what animal I was. Not many people randomly ask me that. Then when I told him I was a fish he got all excited and said that was his group.  I walked over to the table and met Lisa East, the junior staffer, and made my shirt. Then one by one all the girls showed up, we all clicked very well and bonded.  Then when David thought there weren't going to be any guys, 5 of them walked in. I must mention they were all great looking guys, too. Especially Chris. We all made our shirts and got to know each other very well. It was amazing how we all bonded so quickly.
   As the weekend progressed we simply got closer and closer. We were the loudest group and the most excited.  Our group always cheered when one of our members went to the microphone to talk or if their name was mentioned. Everyone participated in all the songs, even if they made us look dumb. The first night in the dorms, we stayed up and talked till 2:00 in the morning about life.  My roommate, our neighbors, and I all became really close. We had so much in common.
   On Saturday night, there were reflections, where everyone reflects on the weekend. As members from our group began to speak, tears were rolling down my face just thinking about having to leave everyone.  Especially my best friend that I met down there, Chris Wileman. Later that night, all the fish met in the hallway of the dorms and we all talked. Thinking about leaving the next day, many of us began to cry and it was then that we decided we were going to have a fish reunion. We got in a huge group hug and didn't go up to our rooms until we were forced.
   Sunday was one of the hardest days of my life. Our group had our own reflections and as everyone talked about the awesome friendships they gained and how much they will miss everyone, tears rolled down our cheeks again. NO ONE wanted to leave. Parents came to the ceremony to hear about our weekend and to see what all we did.
   At 1:30pm, it was all over.  The whole weekend had come to an end. We drew names for who would get to keep our mascots, Nemo and Spunky, and it was then that it truly clicked that I had become closer to these 12 people in 3 days than I had a lot of my friends back home that I have known all my life.
  If I had been any other group, with any other leaders, I would not have had near as much fun.  Every junior staffer and group leader agreed that the fish were truly the best group. I made friendships that I will never lose.  I still talk to so many of them and several of them everyday! David and Lisa were so incredible and influenced all of our lives through their great enthusiasm and leadership.  I wouldn't trade that weekend for the world. For a weekend, David and Lisa were like my parents; they cared about me and loved me. Thank you, guys.  My weekend would not have been near as much fun without Chris, Sam Brown, Katie Rose, Kirk Maki, Sarah Perry, Lori Flemmings, Tyler Thayer, Erin Bartley, Tommy Gains, and Kari Kuykendall.  I love each and every one of them.  They all have a special place in my heart and will never be forgotten. My relationship with Chris keeps getting closer and closer, and I thank who ever put the people in the groups for blessing me with that. I talk to David everyday and he continues to be blessing in my life, as well.
   It was the greatest experience of my entire life!!!! I LOVE TLS!!!! And I hope to go back as a junior staffer next year and reflect what I learned onto others.

Love,

Lynsday Worley

ALUMNI EXECUTIVE BOARD

         President -Dan Kamikowski

         Vice President -Taylor Allen

         Sectary -Katy Lieberum

        Treasurer - Tina Nguyen

        Aumni Advisor - David Young