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Dear Canadian AQHYA Members,
Hello, my name is Adrianna Goolsby. I’m currently serving as AQHYA’s Executive Committee Member and the chair of the AQHYA International Committee. This year’s Youth International Committee had the goal of building a good connection with our international affiliates for the use of the current and future International Committee to build upon and increase the awareness and understanding of AQHYA Programs that international youth can participate in.
One of the amazing youth programs we offer to international youth members is the Youth Excellence Seminar, or what is more fondly known as Y.E.S. This year, YES will be held July 8-10th in Amarillo, TX. YES is a 3-day leadership conference open to youth ages 10 to 18. At this conference, the youth will experience valuable leadership skills, inspiring speakers, and AQHYA governance items. Such as the election of the Regional Directors (3 per region) and our Officers (president, first vice president, second vice president, member, and member). AQHYA has 11 regions, all international affiliates are a part of Region 11. Therefore, any international youth member over the age of 14 who is in good standing and is deemed a voting delegate is eligible to run for Region 11 Director. The youth member is not required to attend YES and may run from the comfort of home. The registration and application deadline is June 1st, 2025.
If the youth member would like to come to Amarillo but is worried about finances, AQHYA has a solution. As of last year, AQHYA offers travel grants to eight international youth members attending YES of up to $2,000 per grant (1,809.73 euros, 39,923.75 pesos, etc.). To receive the grant, the international youth member must fill out an application by the due date of April 30th, 2025. There are a few extra things to know concerning the travel grant. AQHA will arrange and confirm flights and accommodations 45 days before YES, participants will share a room with another international grant recipient of the same gender, and selected applicants under the age of 14 must travel with a parent/guardian, and AQHA International staff will serve as chaperones for the international grant recipients while attending YES.
I would love to see some of your youth join us in Amarillo this year and or run for a Region 11 Director spot. If you have any questions or concerns please let me know. Thank you for your time and I hope you have a great day.
Sincerely,
Adrianna Goolsby
AQHYA 24-25 Executive Committee Member
