American Independence Youth Leadership Conference

What an incredible Spring 2026 session for the American Independence Youth Leadership Conference (AIYLC)! 🇺🇸

We want to give a huge congratulations to all 30 of our outstanding students who showed up with energy, curiosity, and a willingness to lead. Your enthusiasm, teamwork, and commitment to growing as leaders made this session truly special. Watching you challenge yourselves, support one another, and step outside your comfort zones is exactly why AIYLC exists.

Special recognition to our award winners:

🏆 Founder’s Award: Hughs Hong
🌟 Outstanding Leadership Award: James Hyun & Alexa Abend
💪 Superior Leadership Award: Andrew Sayasithsena
🥉 Bronze Patrick Henry Award: Jackson Mauck & Amberlyn Fruchey
🇺🇸 Citizenship Award: George Nebeling & Nicole Henry
🔥 Spirit Award: Alci Duarte Vargas & Laura Gilliland
🤝 Team Award: Elyn Kim, Laura Gilliland, Nicole Henry, Cory Ward, & Andrew Sayasithsena

These students exemplified what it means to lead with character, communicate effectively, and serve something greater than themselves.

What’s next?
Our top four award recipients are now eligible to compete in the Military Order of the World Wars Phoenician Essay Contest, where they will have the opportunity to earn scholarships of $1,000, $2,000, or even the $4,000 grand prize!

https://www.aiylc.org/2026-phoenician-award

To all our students: this is just the beginning. Keep leading, keep learning, and keep pushing forward.

Start Your Journey.

Military Order of the World Wars, National
MOWW Hampton Roads
Military Order of the World Wars - Northern Virginia Chapter

2025 Phoenician Award | The Patriot Essay Challenge — AIYLC Learn about the 2025 Phoenician Award essay contest focusing on American unity; win up to $4,000. Submit your patriotic essay by November 1, 2025.

One of our anonymous thank you cards from a 2026 AIYLC student. Thank YOU for thanking us so beautifully! ❤️🇺🇸

Wrapped up the 2026 AIYLC with our key note speaker, Earl Johnson.

Military Order of the World Wars, National
MOWW Hampton Roads
Military Order of the World Wars - Northern Virginia Chapter

Paper Tower evaluation!

Military Order of the World Wars, National
MOWW Hampton Roads
Military Order of the World Wars - Northern Virginia Chapter

Shark tank!

Military Order of the World Wars, National
MOWW Hampton Roads
Military Order of the World Wars - Northern Virginia Chapter

Military Order of the World Wars, National
MOWW Hampton Roads
Military Order of the World Wars - Northern Virginia Chapter

Day 3 in Yorktown!

Military Order of the World Wars, National
MOWW Hampton Roads
Military Order of the World Wars - Northern Virginia Chapter

Colonel Vince Ogilvie presenting AIYLC staff with well-deserved awards.

Military Order of the World Wars, NationalMOWW Hampton RoadsMilitary Order of the World Wars - Northern Virginia Chapter

CWO5 Phyllis Wilson and our student, MJ.

Military Order of the World Wars, NationalMOWW Hampton RoadsMilitary Order of the World Wars - Northern Virginia ChapterMilitary Women's Memorial

Creating amendments and games without talking.

Military Order of the World Wars, NationalMOWW Hampton RoadsMilitary Order of the World Wars - Northern Virginia Chapter