Sgt. Jason Kallus during his swearing-in ceremony as a Sergeant, United States Marine Corps.
Sgt. Jason Kallus with his parents, Charles and Danielle Kallus.
YLA Student Success Story
Youth Leadership Authority (YLA) is NOT a one-and-done program.
We are a historical, boutique, impactful leadership development program that has proven statistics with extremely positive outcomes of hundreds of students.
Congratulations to YLA graduate who just became a Drill Instructor for the United States Marine Corps. Sgt. Jason Kallus!
Some of our students truly stand out and have become part of our YLA family, forever. They do this by… ALWAYS COMING BACK to help others and not giving up!
“They always come back” and “NEVER QUIT” are Ms. Marie’s coin phrases for the past 23 years.
YLA provides 9 programs over multiple years, as students grow through our ranks, into leadership.
This repeated pattern is where the magic and successful outcomes happen. While the one-and-done programs “help,” they don’t have these types of outcomes. The “multiple program approach” has proven to be effective, time after time, year after year.
Today, we are extremely proud to tell you about an excellent example of determination and leadership.
This young man has shown commitment, grit, integrity, respect, kindness, humility, and determination.
We are very honored to speak of the past 10 years and special achievements of Sgt. Jason Kallus, USMC.
We have always called him “Calli Cal” for years. Now, we GET to call him a Sergeant and Drill Instructor for the United States Marine Corps! OOHRAH!
Sgt. Jason Kallus with his grandmother, Kathleen Miller.
The Story of Jason Kallus:
He comes from wonderful and supportive parents, grandparents, and siblings that YLA has become very close to over the years and throughout life.
Sgt. Kallus fought his way through life and forward to becoming a United States Marine and now has taken the title of Sgt. and Drill Instructor for the Marine Corps. It makes our hearts smile.
We are all incredibly proud of this young man’s grit, determination, and dedication to his future and to the betterment of other motivators and their futures.
Sgt. Jason Kallus with Youth Leadership Authority Instructors.
Sgt. Kallus wrote to YLA:
“YLA planted the seeds that gave me the foundation to keep pushing forward to where I am today.
They taught me to not give up even if it gets hard, even when all the pressure is on, and life around me is falling apart. I knew eventually things would be okay, that I wouldn’t quit and not be ashamed of the decisions I’ve made — but to learn from them and apply them to the future. It all started with the coined phrase by Ms. Marie for Southern Nevada — ‘DEVIL PUPS NEVER QUIT.’ Now, we say YLA-NQ!
I thought that exact statement she would tell us over the years — to myself, during Drill Instructor School. I knew that I’m here to stay, I’m here to change lives — it all began with Ms. Marie and the YLA programs, here in Las Vegas. I am grateful to their organization and their generous sponsors dating back to John Turco and Ron Mosner at the Black Mountain Detachment MCL.
Be ready YLA — because I will be returning as a YLA Instructor — Oohrah! I will choose to give back and PAY it FORWARD, to the organization that provided me these opportunities.
I will do this with intention and integrity to instill the leadership values that were instilled in me for the last 10 years.
While at YLA, they provided multiple programs to me over many years — which have led me to becoming a Drill Instructor today.
It began in 2016, where I met Ms. Marie and attended YLA’s rigorous 12-week Summer Leadership and Physical Training Program. I did this not once, but twice.
This local YLA program prepared me for anything. It brought and taught intensity, dedication, commitment, and determination.
I also participated in YLA’s Community Service Program for several years — giving back to the community that provided these opportunities to me. This taught me to earn what I receive.
YLA also provided me the opportunity to attend Rapport’s Teen Leadership Program and Dale Carnegie Leadership Program — which provided additional leadership tools to put me one step closer to my goals. JFDI!
All these programs were paid for by Youth Leadership Authority. I did not pay for one of these programs, thanks to their generous sponsors who provide programs to the youth in our community still today.
I also became an Eagle Helper and an Eagle locally — at YLA — assisting many future leaders into their path of leadership and through their journey of programs. I also attended a 10-day encampment at Camp Pendleton.
In 2018, I became a United States Marine and began my journey with esprit de corps.
From 2018–2024, I often assisted YLA locally with the new student Starfish and Eagles, while back in Las Vegas as an Instructor.
Now, 2025/2026 — I am happy to report I have graduated from Drill Instructor School at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton! And, most recently, I have been promoted to Sergeant in the Marine Corps, RAH!”
Respectfully,
Jason Kallus
Sgt. Jason Kallus with Marie Tomao-Miklosko, Youth Leadership Authority Founder, President, and Executive Director.
Sgt. Kallus – The YLA Board of Directors and the ENTIRE team at YLA congratulate you, Sgt. Kallus!
SEMPER FIDELIS, young man, we are so very proud of you. Way to YLA-NQ, JFDI.
We know you will do GREAT things and continue to help many future leaders for years to come.
God Bless You and thank you for your service!
Ms. Marie
YLA Board of Directors
Mark R. Schick, YLA Board Member
A Word From the Board Corner
Mark’s Measures
I love to be able to share what God puts on my heart, and in this case it’s something I spoke briefly about at A Safe Place to Land – The Retreat Challenge. This may not be for everyone, but I believe it will speak to those it is intended for—so let’s dive in.
On a daily basis, I make it a priority to look at the three measures of time: Past, Present, and Future.
To begin, I take a moment to reflect on the past (Isaiah 43:18–19)—not to constantly look in the rearview mirror, but to look at the past from the perspective of learning from it. This keeps me in a mindset of not repeating things that aren’t productive and that can affect me negatively. I don’t know about you, but I tend to be harder on myself than anyone, so learning from my past teaches me through experience and creates space to move forward with purpose.
Next, I look at the day that’s been entrusted to me (present—James 4:14) to prioritize, clarify what truly matters, act with awareness, and keep in mind that today is the only thing I’m promised. Having the awareness that today could be my last poses a question for me—which is, how do I want to interact and treat others? It gives me time to dictate if I am going to be a person who reacts to circumstances today, or someone who responds to them.
It’s also an opportunity for gratitude—not only for what God has provided and given to me so generously, but the really important things like family, home, and health.
Lastly, I look to the future (Jeremiah 29:11), which encompasses and invites me to give time to my dreams, hopes, intentions, and desires. It also gives purpose to my present, yet is also tied intricately to my past. I choose to trust that every step, lesson, and season has purpose.
As I look to the future, I do it with hope, knowing the same God who began this work in me will be faithful to complete it. I find rest in the promise that all things are being woven together for good whether I understand everything or not. I have also learned through this daily habit to give up my right to understand certain events and things that some days simply do not make sense, and trust that God will ultimately work them out for my good.
What an honor it has been to share this with you. It is my heart’s desire that in some way it blesses and encourages you.
With gratitude,
Mark R. Schick
YLA Board Member
On Deck
Experience The Retreat Challenge | May 2–3, 2026
Scholarships Available
❤️ Support Youth Leadership Authority
Youth Leadership Authority is not a one-and-done program. Through multiple programs over several years, we help motivated teens grow into confident leaders who give back to their communities.
Your support makes this possible.
Every gift helps provide leadership training, mentorship, service opportunities, and life-changing experiences for youth who need them most.
Will you help forge the next generation of leaders?
Your Gift in Action
- $50 sponsors a leadership challenge
- $100 supports a Passion Project presentation
- $250 helps fund the Retreat Challenge
- $500 trains one Starfish
- $1,900 provides a full Retreat Challenge scholarship
Or give any amount that’s meaningful to you.
Become a Monthly G.U.A.R.D.
(Giving Unwavering Assistance Regularly & Dependably)
Monthly GUARD donors ensure no motivated teen is turned away.
- $25/mo – Leadership Guardian
- $50/mo – Hero Builder
- $100/mo – FORGE Champion
- $250/mo – Elite Sponsor
GUARD donors receive:
✓ Quarterly impact updates
✓ Invitations to tour programs
✓ Donor recognition
Every contribution—one-time or monthly—helps forge leaders who serve with character, faith, and purpose.
With gratitude,
Marie Tomao-Miklosko
Founder & President
Youth Leadership Authority