It is a very special opportunity to be a part of Leadership Youth. My brother and I both have had this opportunity. Because of his experiences in Leadership Youth, I sort of knew what was coming, or so I thought. Leadership Youth taught me a lot in so many different ways.

I came to the first day expecting to sit around and get to know the other youth representatives. Instead, we wound up going to a ropes course, where I swung nearly 70 feet in the air. Not only did we get to know each other, we learned to trust each other. I was thrilled when we went to Paddington’s Pizza.

Besides having a lot of fun, Leadership has taught me the importance of each component of a community. Each part is necessary to keep the whole thing running. In Leadership Youth, we visited different components - business, government, judicial, manufacturing - if, for example, electric companies were to stop functioning, thousands of people would lose out on the electricity they need; manufacturers wouldn’t have power to run their plants, and would be forced to shut down. Consumers then would not have the things they want or even need. The town would come to a standstill. There would be a ripple effect throughout the community.

Leadership has also taught me more about myself. It opened my mind a little more to the variety of businesses that Salem has. I never considered designing clothes, but when I toured Summit Sportswear, I was amazed at what goes into it, and had to think twice about my decision.

When the first year finished, I started thinking towards the organization where I would be assigned. I had no idea who it would be, where they were located, or whether or not I would even like it (though I was sure I would).

It was early September, and I was sitting in a cozy armchair in Kathy Moore’s house when I learned I was going to work with Salem Electric. I was electrified!

I am so excited to learn more about this company and to be on the board. I’m glad to be a member of the board as well as a “member” of the company.

Commentary by Peter Anderson
Junior, West Salem High School