This is a guest post by ACE Ambassador Molly Cleveland, sophomore at Nobel High School in New England.

The day started with introductions to all of the other student leaders, and without any instruction we all started in on a huge discussion about our Action Teams. We collaborated about what projects our schools were working on and projects we’ve done successfully. Then our ACE Educators introduced us to the “Story of Self.” We saw examples of different Stories of Selves and learned what a Story of Self should include. The ACE educators also talked a lot about communication to different groups of people, whom you might have to get support from to do specific action team projects. The entire day was filled with learning about how to be an effective communicator and how to bring your Story of Self into an effective message.

As student leaders we were all thrilled with idea of learning ways to effectively communicate and connect with our audiences. After hearing examples from public speakers, tv commercials, and Rouwenna Lamm we were all ready to jump in and create our Story of Self.

Of course the day wasn’t all about communication, it was a great way to connect with other Action Team leaders and learn their struggles and successes in their clubs. None of us needed any encouragement from the educators, we all just jumped in and started asking questions about each other. Some student leaders were having trouble keeping their club members focused, while others were having trouble even finding club members. It was a great way to share our advice with people, while getting some in return.

By the end of the day ALL of the student leaders were ready to go try out their new communication skills and their Story of Selves. We were all also equipped with the advice all of the other student leaders had given us.

Perhaps it was the mix of kids, the environment and energy the ACE Educators created, or a mixture of both but that day was truly a day that gave each and every one of us student leaders a new look on how we could become even better student leaders and more effective communicators.

Thank you to both Rouwenna Lamm and Brian Stilwell for giving us all the chance to attend the first ever Raise Your Voice Conference!