Stacy discovered her passion for storytelling while at YLC 1993 - all these fireside chats, guest speakers and leadership activities sparked a fire within Stacy.
We think you’ll feel the same spark this summer in Stayton, Oregon! Applications close February 1st (SO SOON!) - so apply today at youth.nad.org/YLC!

[Video Description & Transcript: Stacy is wearing a #WhyISign long sleeve shirt. The NAD logo is in transparent white in the bottom right corner.

STACY: Hi! I’m Stacy Abrams, I went to YLC back in 1993 (A green text box appeared on the right top corner with a white text, “I went to YLC in 1993!”) - when they celebrated 25 years at YLC. (A brown text box appeared on the right top corner with a white text, “YLC’s 25th Anniversary!”)

It was a really special time to be there! I came from a small school, so I didn’t have a vision of YLC until I arrived. Wow, there were so many new faces within my peer and the staff! The first few days, I was more laidback - I spent my time watching, listening and learning. I remember thinking of my role, why I wanted to go to YLC, and who I wanted to be.

(A red text box appeared on the right top corner with a white text, “I learned so many lessons!”) There were so many lessons to be learned during the daily team challenges in the mornings and with the guest speakers at the fireside chat. I learned that I’ve become assertive - there was a difference between aggressive and assertive. (A brown text box appeared on the right top corner with a white text, “assertive” vs “aggressive”)

I learned that I can lead when the time was right (A green text box appeared on the right top corner with a white text, “I learned WHEN to lead”) and I could take a step back to let others lead (A yellow text box appeared on the right top corner with a black text, “and WHEN to let others lead”). When YLC ended and I was back at home, I became more open minded, caring and more supportive. At the same time, I kept in the back of my mind one of the biggest things YLC taught - giving back to the community (A red text box appeared on the right top corner with a white text, “Give back to the community!” with a light bulb on the top right corner).

I kept thinking of my role and how I could give back to the community. Throughout college and life, YLC always popped up in my head. (A black text box appeared on the right top corner with a white text, “I started #WhyISign”) Few years ago, I started #WhyISign to connect families with deaf and hard of hearing children to the deaf community, deaf adults and resources/information. It’s important to value these families because their deaf and hard of hearing children are our future - our next generation. This had a profound impact on me. This is my role. This is how I can give back to our community. I can connect people through storytelling. (A brown text box appeared on the right top corner with a white text, “storytelling!” with a heart eyes emoji face.) Thank you, YLC, (A green text box appeared on the right top corner with a white text, “Thank you, YLC”) for everything you’ve taught me. In exchange, I want to see more deaf and hard of hearing children be a part of YLC. Join the YLC family! (A brown text box appeared on the right top corner with a white text, “Join the YLC FAMILY!”)

(Video cuts to an ending slide. It has a brown background with white, yellow and dark orange confetti on the top corners. In the top center, a Youth Leadership Camp logo in green and white. Below, a white text, “Are you ready to be a leader? Camper Application is available online! Visit youth.nad.org/ylc and apply by February 1, 2022!)]