The National Youth Congress was created by the USPC Board of Governors to bring together outstanding older pony club
members from all over the country. This was the seventh year of the program, and 43 youth, ranging in age from 18-24, were
recommended by their clubs and selected by their regions in recognition for their leadership at the local and regional levels.
Their participation in the Congress enabled them to work together to broaden awareness of themselves and of the opportunities
for the future. Emphasis is placed on youth leadership, mentoring, volunteer rolls and so much more.
Tammy is highly
regarded within our local pony club and the Wayne community. For many years she has volunteered her time and talents enthusiastically.
She has given educational talks at All Club Meetings, instructed during winter study sessions, instructed at mounted meetings
and at D camp. Tammy is a very talented instructor and releates well with the students. Our club is quite fortunate to
have such a gifted leader with such a sense of presence. Through her Games and Tetrathalon competitions, she has established
a substantial reputation. Tammy's participation within our club, has been very meaningful and she has been a roll model
for all the members.
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| USPC National Youth Congress |
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| Tammy Malm, back row, 7th from left, honored as NYC Delegate |
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To Those of You Who Made it Possible:
First
and foremost, I need to thank you. I recently attended the National Youth Congress Annual Meeting in Boston, but only because
you made it possible for me to go.
The Congress began on Wednesday with a simple ice breaker for all of us to start
to get to know each other. Most of the kids being in college, we described where Pony Club home was, and where home had been
temporarily transferred to because of school. The next two days were filled with all kinds of activities. Most importantly,
the Congress is based off a 4 leg system: Moral Code, Alumni presentations, Pony Club policy, and personal project. During
the moral code sessions we were given a chance to categorize our personalities with different animals based on a short survey.
This survey enabled us to identify our strong traits, traits that may only be beneficial in certain situations, and traits
that needed to be worked on. The PC policy session was our chance to develop a proposal to present to the Board of Governors
about what change we would like to see in Pony Club. I was so impressed with the ideas that my peers had brought with them,
and learned that the new rating system was originally proposed by the NYC that came several years before us. The personal
project was our time to reflect on the experience in PC thus far and devise a way to help give back. Our groups
collaborated, helped make each other's plans better and provided motivation to carry
through. Lastly, the alumni presentations were given by successful adults who grew up in PC, and although may not be involved
now, or may not have been a graduate A, they still contribute a lot of their success to PC. They each told us their background
with horses, what they did in pony club, and how that led them to where they are now. I found this section of the week the
most beneficial.
Being far from home, family and my club has been difficult. For most of
my freshman year, I was far from any horses and having a difficult time adjusting to life without one. Listening to the alumni
speeches was an eye-opener for me. Some of them worked their butts off to have a horse at school, while others took a break
from riding to concentrate on that pahse of their life. I have had a 10 year plan for myslef since the day I got accepted
to college, and unfortunately, horses don't fit easily into that plan. Listening to them speak made me realize that it's
ok to take a short break. I need to focus on the life I have right now that doesn't involve riding six horses a day and
teaching for five hours straight (maybe an exaggeration, but not by much). Just because I am not up to my ears in manure every
day doesn't mean I love it any less. This seems simple, but it hit me hard. Horses are my life, and they are a part of
these peoples' lives as well. Pony Club has brought us together to share that. Just being in the same room with all those
young adults who are so dedicated and so hard-working was inspiring. I genuinely felt lucky to be a part of the group of kids
sitting in that room.
My appreciation extends to all of you. Theresa and Kristy were nothing
but enthusiatic and optimistic for my trip when they found out I had applied. They each gave me a brief run-down of the weeks
activities, and told me they were both shocked that I ghad wanted to go in the first place. Being a part of the NYC also made
me realize how lucky I am to have such a supportive club and region that provided me with opportunities that a lot of kids
in that room have never had. And for tha, I need to thank my DC, Zola Gudger, who has never once doubted my ability, is always
there to answer my questions, and includes me in every activity the club has. Older pony clubbers are a hard resource to come
by these days, not just in NCPR, but in the country. This congress has inspried me to stick with pony club that much longer;
I can only hope that our region continues to support the upper level kids not only at the National Youth Congress, but outside
of pony club as well.
Sincerely,
Tammy Malm
WDHPC
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