July 21-26, 2013 at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge

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LYS is a weeklong leadership camp held on the campus of Louisiana State University during the third week in July. During LYS, students go through a series of skill building exercises focused on leadership skills. Through a series of “hands on” experiences, they use their newly developed skills in a group setting to discover that leadership is not merely a matter of position or authority, but a matter of action. Students are encouraged to make a difference and to apply their knowledge and experience in their schools and communities. LYS is specifically designed for incoming high school juniors and seniors (and sophomores who are up for the challenge) who demonstrate leadership abilities in their schools and communities. Students come to LYS in a variety of ways: nominated by their school or a teacher, registered by their parent, recruited by a LYS alum, recommended by a friend.

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Inside Northside Magazine Features Guarisco as a Woman in Business

Inside Northshore Magazine's Women In Business 2009

Vickie Guarisco — Louisiana Youth Seminar

THERE ARE TWO GOOD REASONS Vickie Guarisco works hard as chair of Louisiana Youth Seminar. As a former participant in 1978, she knows firsthand its value; as mother of two, Nick and Elizabeth, she wanted to make sure LYS would be there for them, too.

Founded in 1971, LYS is a non-profit organization staffed almost entirely by volunteers and dedicated to youth leadership training. The seminar covers communication, setting and achieving goals, team building, self-confidence, conducting effective meetings, problem-solving skills and more.

Vickie has fond memories of LYS and credits it with helping her in her adult life, providing her with “strength, confidence, lasting friendships and hope.” These have proven to be valuable tools for success during her years in the hospitality industry (catering sales manager for Hilton and Sheraton and director of the Searle Conference Center at Duke University Medical Center), as well as in her extensive volunteer work.

A member of the St. Scholastica Academy Parent Board, the Rich Mauti Cancer Fund Tennis Tournament Board and a volunteer at Mary, Queen of Peace Church, Vickie believes in giving back to her community. Especially active with LYS, she has been inducted into the LYS Hall of Fame, and presently serves as LYS chair and the LYS Alumni Annual Fund co-chair. It is her goal to endow LYS with $1 million raised through philanthropic and business contributions, as well as alumni donations.

Each year, Vickie and husband Dr. Steve Guarisco provide LYS scholarships to her high school in Patterson, La., as well as to local schools. It is not uncommon to have those they sponsor comment, “You changed my life by sending me to LYS.”

“That’s what keeps me coming back,” says Vickie.