YMP: A Life-changing Experience

by Z'eani Furdge

​From the very beginning of the Youth Media Project, I was very shy and never really spoke unless I was spoken to. I was nervous and scared about how I was having to be in a room full of people I barely even knew for just about all day. 

As we were getting deeper and deeper into the program, the normal me started to flow. I started talking more, cracking jokes and just flat-out having a good time. This came fairly quickly because the people in YMP were making me feel comfortable. During these past two months, I have not only learned about podcasting and more about technology, but I've also learned more about journalism than I ever imagined. Being in YMP has helped me to be in more control of my responsibilities. By us having to do things fairly quickly, it has helped me get finish what I need to get done. YMP can definitely change your life and is the place to be during the summer.

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I really hate that this very educational, life-changing, makes-you-grow-up, have-fun-and-do-work-at-the-same-time program is coming to an end. I have met plenty of new faces and made plenty of new friends. I am very thankful that God has even led me to YMP and for being able to attend it. This program has brought so much joy to my life from the positive energy and the it-feels-good-to-be-alive attitudes from everyone. I love how we all have something to bring to the table and always have a share on what we think and feel. And of course we have fun; we're teenagers—that's what we know how to do! Walking into an atmosphere like this everyday is something a lot of people wish they had, and I'm thankful to have been able to be a part of it.