Join Us in celebrating our accomplishments and America’s Youth into Tomorrow’s Heroes!
Dear Champions of Youth Leadership,
For 24 years, Youth Leadership Authority (YLA) has been transforming America’s teenagers into disciplined, resilient, and service-driven leaders through our whole-person approach and path to leadership with 3 series, 3 ranks, and 9 programs.
- Step 1 – Starfish – 1st year Associates Level
- Step 2 – Eagles – 2nd Year Bachelors Level
- Step 3 – Guards – 3rd & 4th year, Masters Level
- Step 4 – Guards launch into professional heroes in a career to serve this great country as a police officer, firefighter, or military.
This is YLA’s Path to Leadership!
This year, YLA was blessed to create and launch an ELEVATED Series and Programs, through our Summer Leadership Series (SLS) which culminates at The FORGE Lake Warrior Adventure and Passion Project Presentations and Awards Ceremony!
Our mission is clear: to build America’s youth, one Starfish at a time, guiding them toward impactful careers as police officers, firefighters, Navy, Navy SEALs, and United States Marine Corps! Moreover, to be honest, respectful, peaceful, kind, and humble humans.
With your support, we can continue to empower these young men and women to embody our core values—honesty, respect, peace, kindness, and humility—and become the heroes our community and country need.
A Journey of operose patriotism, hope, guided support that led to total transformation:
The 2025 Summer Leadership Series Recap:
This year’s 12-week Summer Leadership Series began in May 2025. YLA and its community partners welcomed 38 Starfish, Eagles, and Guards to a transformative journey at the Henderson Fire Training Center and Henderson Police Department for a two-day program focused on physical, professional, personal, and spiritual developmental teachings and extreme challenges for teens, ages 11–21.
We were blessed to have our students train alongside the most elite professionals, from the
- U.S. Navy SEALs,
- Marine Corps,
- Henderson Police Department/SWAT,
- Henderson Fire Department, and the Navy’s Warrior Challenge Program.
Additionally, we were so grateful for two graduates, now Navy sailors in college, Arron and Alex Ballard—who came back to serve and lead, by our side, paying it forward to those who now stand where they did 3 years ago. It’s why Ms. Marie says, “They always come back,” because they do.
Summer Leadership Series (SLS) kicked off with Community Service by laying and retrieving over 33,000 flags on Memorial Weekend. This is to honor our fallen heroes for the 24th year in a row. This teaches students to pay it forward with respect and humility, two of YLA’s Core Values.
Our Starfish, Eagles, and Guards met 22 times over 12 weeks, engaging in rigorous physical, personal, professional, and spiritual development from our professional partnerships with the Navy, Marine Corps, Police, Fire, and YLA’s very own personnel and spiritual development coaches.
Key highlights:
Professional and Career Development:
Navy Special Warfare Operations Team and Warrior Challenge Program
Senior Chief Moreno, a Petty Officer, and two Ensigns from Officer Candidate School inspired our Starfish with insights into military and leadership careers. Hosted at the Henderson Fire Training Center, this event showcased opportunities for service and growth with the Navy. We were in awe of the many opportunities for education, growth, and professional development in a career with the Navy -Hooyah!
United States Marine Corps Career Development
They always show up loud and proud and in such a grand way. Gunnery Sergeant Liaga and Staff Sergeant Frederick brought their team of expert Marines to teach about the many opportunities that the Marine Corps offers. They spoke on their personal journey to become a Marine and how beneficial it has been to them in many ways. They spoke on the Esprit de Corps and the meaningful relationships they built as a family unit, very similar to the YLA way!
Careers with the Henderson Fire Department and Police Departments:
Chief Scott Vivier spoke on the many benefits to joining the Henderson Fire Department because “PEOPLE MATTER.” We now have 2 Starfish and one Eagle that will be moving forward immediately into their explorer program! We wish Milo Orozco much luck (he won’t need it, he was made to do this) in his journey to become a Henderson firefighter and a pastor—very soon!
A huge shout out to our very own board members, Captain Benson Harper with the Henderson Police Department—who spoke leadership into the students with his team of police officers, sergeants, and the explorer adviser—to introduce our students into a career with law enforcement and the city of Henderson. They spoke on their personal journey to serve and protect our community! Bravo and thank you!
We have a couple of Starfish (1st year students) who are very much interested in continuing the LEO path—and become Henderson police officers one day too!
Physical Development:
Wow—Did we challenge the students physically! The Navy Warrior Challenge Program and SEALs dubbed “NO EASY DAY,” where students tackled intense physical and mental challenges to build resilience and teamwork. 💪🏽😁🏃♀️👟🤸♀️
Fostering the attitude:
“It’s not about you.” It’s always about your team! Don’t be selfish, be selfless! Such a valuable lesson for us all.
The Area Marine Corps Recruiters hosted 3 physically challenging days that were LOUD & PROUD, filled with dedication to commitment and encouraging—Marine Style! Which happens to be very loud and intense! Huge shout out to YLA Board Members, Gysgt Liaga and SSgt Frederick for ensuring this continued support for the 24th year!
Personal Development:
They also participated in a personal development day with Lu Fonseca, focusing on building inner strength, goal-setting, and personal growth tactics- to prepare them for future challenges. “What we think about we bring about.” Be carefull of your thoughts! “Our thoughts become our words, our word become our 🎬 “
Starfish Gemma Garcia took home the class award for being the most engaged!
Community Conversations: Fentanyl is Fatal Event
Hosted at the Henderson Police Department, alongside the Zachary Horton Foundation and The COH – Don’t Risk it ALL teams. We gathered teams of resources and taught the students on the dangers of Fentanyl.
We spoke on how it is being sold on many social media sites and is killing the kids in our community. We taught lessons on the use of NARCAN. Now our students can go infiltrate their schools, their families, their friends, and speak accurately on the dangers of this drug to make a positive impact.
Movie Night: The Forge
This movie inspired YLA on the nudge of Dion Quinn to create the Summer Leadership Series and The FORGE ADVENTURE and Passion Projects! If you have not seen this movie, I suggest highly you sit down with your families and friends to watch—Get your Kleenex and smiles on!
Students had the opportunity to reflect on how to be a good steward of God and to each other, personal growth, personal faith, and service, reinforcing lessons about peace, respect, integrity, and discipleship.
The Constitution Class:
We don’t only teach about the Constitution and amendments, but we do it in a highly unusual and effective manner too!
We find experiential learning is the type of learning, done in a loud and proud way, that helps people retain what they’ve received. This type of training is embedded in all of our programs and why it’s effective. The Special Sauce!
The Constitution Class was created by Youth Leadership Authority board members. Its copyrighted and trademarked curriculum is unlike any other class that we know of to teach about this important document!
Passion Projects:
We closed out our Summer Leadership Series with several meetings and facilitated trainings on Public Speaking, leadership development, and Passion Project Presentation excellence!
Throughout the summer, not only did each of these students participate in the 12 weeks of physically challenging exercises, they also created, implemented, and executed their team passion projects! The topics they chose were:
Faith, Family, Helping Others, and Leaving a Legacy! 📸
They ventured out into the community to speak on a relationship with God, they served the homeless by serving them food, water, and toiletries, they cleaned up the environment and parks, they spoke at churches regarding their testimonies and newfound walk with Jesus. They encouraged through a social experiment why we should be grateful each day for the things that we have. They spent time with their families, and they painted a mural with children at a local church.
They overcame many obstacles to get to their passion project execution days. This taught them to adapt and overcome and that failure is part of the success every single time.
As the Summer Leadership Series came to a close, the FORGE drew near… 😁🔥⚔️💥🇺🇲⚓️⛵️👗👔✝️💪🏽👀
Participants started as Starfish, with those completing at least 20 SLS classes. A $3,900 value that not one student paid for.
They also earned their eligibility for the prestigious FORGE Lake Warrior Adventure. A $1,500 value that not one student paid for thanks to our Core Sponsors:
- AC Pro
- John Turco
- Gene Haas Foundation
- Master Mechanical
- Share Village
- Full Throttle Law
- Platinum Plastic Surgery
Community Partnerships
- Navy Warrior Challenge Program
- Navy SEALs Special Warfare Operations
- United States Marine Corps
- Henderson Fire Department
- Henderson Police Department
21 teens FORGED FORWARD to this exclusive 2-day ADVENTURE, progressing toward becoming Eagles and Guards in their second, third, or fourth years with YLA.
The FORGE Lake Warrior Adventure: A Test of Grit and Unity
Held on July 19–20, 2025, at Callville Bay Marina and surrounding areas, the FORGE Lake Warrior Adventure was the pinnacle of the SLS, pushing our teens to new heights of discipline, resilience, and excellence.
On T-1 PREP DAY
YLA Eagles and Guards demonstrated teamwork by unloading a 25-ft semi-truck provided by Kelly Spicers Paper onto a 59-ft houseboat and 25′ pontoon, 12 kayaks, and 2 paddle boards, setting the stage for a day of challenges. It was not all work as we definitely played tug-of-war with a houseboat and won!
We ended the day with the Eagles and Guards getting settled into their new homes and a family meal at the table. We spoke on their career choices and their accomplishments towards their futures.
Day 1 of the Forge Adventure—led by the Navy SEALs and Warrior Challenge Program 💪🏽 ⛵️⚓️
Guided by the Navy, the Starfish, Eagles, and Guards learned about kayaking very quickly, as they made strides towards excellence across the lake! “No Starfish left behind” and “FORGE FORWARD” were the mottos that day!
Each tandem kayak team learned the importance of working as a team, following instructions, and communication! While they may have had an obstacle or two, named: islands, mud, and docks, they eventually all made it safely to home base—in a special cove that was set up just for them to make sugar cookies!
The Team of Navy SEALs then took them through a plethora of fun and exhilarating relays, including the iconic “sugar cookie” challenge (rolling in dirt after getting wet), fostered camaraderie and grit.
After, as a team locked in arms, they attacked the water! They were told to lay down and kick repeatedly, as they struggled to stay arm-connected! Eventually, they understood how to help each other and not leave one another behind.
Navy SEAL Senior Chief Matthew Brown instructed them to lay and float on the water as a line, staring at the sun together, taking in that moment. It was a beautiful moment that not one person will forget, including the spectators that watched from a distance.
After a few rounds of that, they went on to make more sugar cookies in the sand! Only the whites of their eyes could be seen. Their skin, arms, legs, hair were covered in beach sand. But they weren’t stopping. They were working as a team towards the finish line.
One Eagle, known as “2 Shoes,” literally threw her glasses off just to get to the finish line and through the next obstacle.
They ended that transition of training tempos with a relay race repeatedly. The entire YLA team and Navy team were in awe of all of the obstacles and challenges that they were taking ownership of!
Eventually, the Navy lightened up and served them a beach lunch made by two YLA volunteers, Renaye Barnes and Myeshia Ballard!
The Navy also provided mentorship sessions and awarded the last guidon of the season.
The Most Motivated, who embodied and tackled the FORGE LAKE WARRIOR ADVENTURE, went to Eagle Stacy Mora for her significant determination—She will now be serving as YLA’s Head Female Guard (relieving Guard Michelle Villalobos) throughout our next series and into 2026—Congratulations Guard Mora!
A HUGE APPLAUSE and Thank You to Head Female Guard Villalobos for taking us through this Forged Summer Leadership Series alongside the Head Guard, Stephen Caballero, who executed his company through an extensive and historical legacy, and Brandon Garcia, who will be relieving Stephen Caballero as Head Male Guard!
Day 1 of the FORGE ended with all of our Starfish, Eagles, and Guards jumping back into their kayaks. This time they were ALL ready to tackle the lake—in a much more powerful manner.
They were now a team.
There was no more struggle of power; they were communicating very well with each other, as they stretched themselves racing and gliding across the lake to the tune of “Don’t Stop Believing” as a unified group!
The Navy followed behind them on their kayaks and paddle boards.
We were also impressed with their teamwork and growth. It was an absolutely beautiful moment to witness.
The Kayak Race Champions were:
Cezar Alvarez and Adrian Kelly! 🥁
Passion Project Presentations and Awards Luncheon
Day 3
Passion Projects Awards Luncheon at the Forge Social House in Boulder City!
The Starfish delivered their Passion Project presentations that showcased initiatives on community impact, faith, and legacy.
Judged by esteemed leaders Colonel Ray Blum, CWO4 Chavis Romac, Master Chief Ballard, Navy SEAL Senior Chief Matthew Brown, and Rescue Swimmer Mario Amaya, Fire Chief Scott Vivier, YLA, and Eric Keeme from our biggest supporter AC PRO, Board Members: Sam Miklosko, Mark Schick, Svetlana Carter, and Joan Gamble, presentations highlighted the Starfish’s growth and vision.
They were incredibly articulate in their deliveries, forging forward in nothing but operose leadership driven with fierce omnipotent excellence!
Award recipients included:
Passion Project Team CHAMPIONS 🏆
Their video of their projects can be found here:
Legacy – The ECHO EFFECT
- Ashley Tomax Lino (Captain)
- Stephen Caballero
- Rueben Orozco
- Cezar Alvarez
Most Impacted Starfish
Gemma Garcia for being the most impacted while exhibiting the most growth throughout the summer and the FORGE! SUCH TREMENDOUS GROWTH—”Only happy tears now, young lady!”
Remember… the world is now your oyster!
The NAVY selected 3 ULTIMATE WARRIORS for their stellar awards!
- Guard Stephen Marin Caballero
- Guard Michelle Garcia Villalobos
- Cezar Alvarez
The Overall FORGE Warrior Sword All-Around Champion is
Stephen Caballero
He received the coveted real Forge Warrior sword to take home with him and display alongside the vinyl FORGE graphic.
All the awardees will have their names etched on the YLA Warrior Monument at the YLA office for years to come!
The Path Forward: From Starfish to Heroes!
The impact of YLA is profound: 82% of our graduates attend college, and 62% pursue careers in the military, police, or fire services, embodying the values of service and leadership.
The FORGE graduates, now Eagles and Guards, are now preparing for their next adventure!
With YOUR help today, YLA will be sending 17 graduates in September sailing with the Navy SEALs! Our very own 3-day adventure on Navy SEAL turf!
This effort will take support from you.
Our programs, offered at no program cost to parents, thanks to generous donors, are valued at $3,900 for the SLS and $1,900 for the FORGE. Most don’t even pay for their application and/or uniform fees!
YLA works with Community Partnerships and volunteers. We only have two employees—the rest is all heart and volunteerism!
The importance of our mission continuing is astronomical. We are building America’s HEROES!
Your donations directly fund critical needs:
Why Your Support Matters: Building America’s Future
YLA’s partnership with the Navy SEALs Warrior Challenge Program, Marines, police, and fire professionals creates a unique environment where teens learn real-world skills and values.
From the Retreat Challenge to the FORGE, every experience is designed to prepare them for careers as police officers, firefighters, Navy SEALs, and Marines.
Our alumni have gone on to serve in elite forces and lead in their communities, proving that YLA is building America’s youth, one Starfish at a time.
Your donation fuels this mission, ensuring that no teen is left behind due to financial barriers.
As YLA Founder and President, Marie Miklosko says, “As iron sharpens iron, we forge leaders who serve with character, faith, and purpose.”
Your support creates a legacy of impact, shaping teens like Stephen Marin Caballero, Brandon Garcia, Gemma Garcia, and Stacy Mora Arce into the heroes our nation needs.
This is YOUR Call to Action: Be a Champion for America’s Youth
Donate today at www.youthleadershipauthority.com or call 702-285-4142 to make a tax-deductible contribution.
Every dollar brings us closer to empowering more Starfish to become Eagles, Guards, and ultimately, leaders in service to our country.
Share this campaign on social media to inspire others to join our mission:
Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, Email to your friends, families, and colleagues.
Spread the word about YLA’s impact and our vision for America’s youth.
Special thanks to our HISTORICAL and GOAT partners:
- AC Pro
- Gene Haas Foundation
- Platinum Plastic Surgery
- Master Mechanical LLC
- SHARE Village Las Vegas
- John Million Turco
—whose support made this year’s SLS and FORGE possible.
Together, we are forging a brighter future.
ON DECK:
August
After-Action—to reflect on this year’s successes and plan for even greater impact.
September:
Eagles & Guards Sail with the Navy SEALs! A 3- Day SPECIAL Adventure that will elevate our students to the next level of leadership at the Naval Amphibious Base in Coronado!
We are very appreciative the Navy Warrior Challenge Program and CWO4 Romac Chavis and Senior Chief Brown for his generosity to pour into YLA Eagles and Guards!
October
YLA Graduation, where our teens will receive their Associates, Bachelors, and Masters in Youth Leadership from Youth Leadership Authority.
Date and location TBA
“Character, faith, and service define a leader’s legacy.” – John C. Maxwell
With gratitude,
Marie Miklosko
YLA Board of Directors
Youth Leadership Authority
Building America’s Youth, One Starfish at a Time
PS: Want to make an even bigger impact? Contact us to become a Corporate Champion!
Contact Marie Tomao-Miklosko at 702-285-4142 or marie@youthleadershipauthority.com to donate.
Your generosity will be recognized on our website, socail media, uniforms and YLA WALL of FAME inspiring teens for generations to come!
(https://youthleadershipauthority.com/empowering-the-next-generation-the-2025-yla-retreat-challenge/)