the Young Leaders Academy of Baton Rouge inc.

YLA Motto
If in my mind I can conceive it, and in my heart I can believe it, then certainly I can achieve it!
(Ooh Rah!)

The Young Leaders' Academy Pledge
We at The Young Leaders' Academy will strive for excellence in our quest to be the best!
We accept that:
Mediocrity is not acceptable
Failure is not an option!
High Expectations are the norm!
Academic Achievement is the key to success!
We will serve our community so that we are qualified to lead!
We are willing to work hard and pay the price for success!
We also accept that we will give nothing less than our God-given best! (Ooh Rah!!!)

The Young Leaders' Academy
CODE OF BEHAVIOR

I.	I will respect myself and others.
II.	I will show respect to all adults by choosing the appropriate language and behavior in their presence.
III.	I will show respect to all authorities by honoring their directions at all times.
IV.	I will show respect to all speakers by remaining silent and giving my full attention to their message.
V.	I will show respect to all my Academy Brothers by caring for them, sharing with them, and being the best of friends.
VI.	I will show respect to the Young Leaders' Academy by never doing or saying anything to upset our fine reputation.

"All of these codes
I promise to keep
to the best of my ability."

Core Values
The YLA has 12 core values. They are:

Academic Excellence
We believe that doing ones best academically greatly enhances ones chances of matriculating in school and reaching career goals.

Accountability
We believe that all members (parents, staff, and children) of the YLA have rolls that they should know, master and live up to daily.

Community
We believe our inter-connectedness to the community and our moral and civic responsibility to improve our schools, neighborhoods, city and our country.

Competition
We believe that in a free market economy, the more competitive we teach our children to be the greater their chances of succeeding.

Etiquette
We believe that good old-fashioned manners and respect will create more opportunities for our children. There is a price to pay for those who unfortunately lack social graces.

Exposure
We believe that our boys will dream larger dreams if they see the limitless possibilities for their lives. Thus, we travel annually and visit many corporations to broaden their horizons.

Family
We believe that family is a fundamental building block of society and that parent(s) must be involved in this process for us to succeed.

Hard Work
We believe that the harder our children work, the greater their chances of reaching and exceeding their goals.

Individualism
We believe in respecting the individual personality of each child in the organization. Even while respecting the team concept, no one's individuality should be lost.

Oratory Skills
We believe that effective leaders are first and foremost effective communicators.

Service
We believe that values based leadership is best taught by serving others before self. Service increases the sense of community ownership and buy-in which ultimately compels our youths to lead.

Teamwork
We believe in a cooperative learning philosophy that encourages everyone to learn from each other's strengths.

YLA Poem Set

It Couldn't Be Done
By Edgar A. Guest

Somebody said that it couldn't be done,
But he with a chuckle replied
That "maybe it couldn't," but he would be one
Who wouldn't say so till he'd tried.
So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin
On his face. If he worried he hid it.
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn't be done, and he did it.

Somebody scoffed: "Oh, you'll never do that;
At least no one ever has done it";
But he took off his coat and he took off his hat,
And the first thing we knew he'd begun it.
With a lift of his chin and a bit of a grin,
Without any doubting or quiddit,
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn't be done, and he did it.

There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done,
There are thousands to prophesy failure;
There are thousands to point out to you, one by one,
The dangers that wait to assail you.
But just buckle in with a bit of a grin,
Just take off your coat and go to it;
Just start to sing as you tackle the thing
That "cannot be done," and you'll do it.

See It Through

By Edgar A. Guest

When you're up against a trouble,

Meet it squarely, face to face;

Lift your chin and set your shoulders,

Plant your feet and take a brace.

When it's vain to try to dodge it,

Do the best that you can do;

You may fail, but you may conquer,

See it through!

Black may be the clouds about you

And your future may seem grim,

But don't let your nerve desert you;

Keep yourself in fighting trim.

If the worst is bound to happen,

Spite of all that you can do,

Running from it will not save you,

See it through!

Even hope may seem but futile,

When with troubles you're beset,

But remember you are facing

Just what other men have met.

You may fail, but fall still fighting;

Don't give up, whate'er you do;

Eyes front, head high to the finish.

See it through!

Taking responsibility for one’s destiny.

Invictus

By William Ernest Henley,1849-1903

Out of the night that covers me,

Black as the Pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may beFor my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance

I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeonings of chance

My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

Finds, and shall find me, unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishments the scroll,

I am the master of my fate;

I am the captain of my soul.

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