Our YELLS youth amaze us each day as they demonstrate servant-leadership. Each month, we honor youth that go above and beyond. This month we spotlight Abel Luna who exemplifies how to be a YELLS leader:
Abel Luna
YELLS youth scholars are young members of an evolving community, and Abel Luna, 4th grader at Lockheed Elementary School, is a student leader who sets the example. A soccer lover and loyal friend, Abel uses his passion to influence others who, in turn, uplift him toward success. Abel leads the Afterschool Program soccer group (a co-ed group of 5-10 year olds) as a part of a larger event coordinated by high school “Bigs” in the YELLS Mentoring program. He applies his years of experience with soccer strategies and natural team-building attitude to represent the program in the upcoming tournament. Abel is an easy friend to follow because he leads with a kind heart that enjoys helping others. He even offers a helping hand to teachers during end of the day clean-up! Abel comes from a home full of love, which he knows how to share as the middle son of five children.
Throughout the current 2017-2018 school year, Abel has grown as a person and a student. “In the beginning, we saw a kid who had a lot to give, but wasn’t always sure how. But now, we have a dependable young leader who reminds us why we’re all here as servant-leaders” (Mr. Chris, volunteer teacher in ASP). Abel is as quick to help up an injured player as he is to negotiate with ASP teachers for additional field time for the entire team. He constantly both seeks and finds ways to reach personal goals through focus, hard work, and respectful communication. When asked how things might change if kids were to govern instead of adults, Abel shared, “…there would be no littering because people would pick up what they leave.” Franklin Gateway has and continues to undergo changes, but with community involvement and support we can be sure that these changes are positive for the people, like Abel and his family, who define its culture.
Abel cheering on his teammates.
