Each Sunday, we will have one of our volunteer staff members, Hillie Brumfield, interview & write a spotlight article about one of our Colorado Young Leaders! This week, we want you to meet Maddy!
When you think of the word rock star, I’m sure you probably imagine Bruce Springsteen, Mick Jagger, Jon Bon Jovi, and legends that transformed music and culture. When I think of a rock star, one young girl comes to mind; Maddy Gawler.
Maddy Gawler is known throughout the community, her friends, and family as a full-blown activist. A senior at South High school, and a full time student at the Community College of Denver, Maddy continues to excel in her extracurricular activities; She is president of Colorado Young Leaders Youth Advisory Board (YAB), volunteers A LOT (ringing in 300 hours just this year), she also created her own anti bullying system within local Denver schools, loves to travel, writes poetry, and hopes to get back into playing her Violin. It comes as no surprise that a girl like Maddy has ambitions of attending Brown University next year with a study focus on Politics.
I got the opportunity to sit down with this world changer and pick the pieces of her heart that beat the loudest.
Me: “ So Maddy, a huge passion of yours is Colorado Young Leaders (CYL) and I’m curious to know, why should people support CYL?”
Maddy: “ I think people should support CYL because anyone, and everyone, can fit into CYL. Nicole (Founder and President of CYL) is always finding ways to get everyone involved and connected. For example, Ski trips are planned for this winter, but I’m not sure I’m going to be able to afford to go. Nicole is working hard for all of us to make sure we get the funding we can to have those weekends with each other and grow as a community. It’s awesome; to know I fit in somewhere that we all help each other succeed.”
Me: “How is CYL different from other Non Profits?”
Maddy: “ Compared to other non profits, we work for the other non profits and their cause, so by working for CYL you’re giving back through the mission of CYL and those other organizations as well.“
Me: “ That being said, what is the mission, or definition, of CYL?”
Maddy: “CYL helps bring students into the community to make a positive impact, about what they’re passionate about. It builds leaders and leadership skills to help us youth be stronger leaders in the future.”
Me: “Who does CYL focus on?”
Maddy: “ CYL focuses on sending us students to those in need. Whether it’s a local non profit needing help, or volunteers helping other individuals, we’re not just targeted at one group but rather, the entire community. When I think of CYL, I think of community changers. Us being sent out to make a difference.”
Me: “How has being apart of CYL personally affected you?”
Maddy: “CYL has given me more opportunities to volunteer and network in the community. It has taught me how to actually be a leader…and a better one at that, I have made more friends, become more confident, and I’ve really been able to find my passions and pursue them. It’s given me the outlet to get things accomplished, and I think that’s mostly because Nicole doesn’t limit us. We say ‘How high?’ and she says, ‘As high as you want’. She lets us explore things and make our own mistakes.”
Me: “Anything else to add for our readers Maddy?”
Maddy: “I think the best quote to define CYL is one from Steve Jobs, “Stay hungry. Stay Foolish.” Always push to be better, do better, and live better. Don’t be afraid of failure. Our society is changing and the impossible is becoming possible. Nicole has made us want to be servants of “yes”. It doesn’t matter what it is, Colorado Young Leaders wants to get involved. She has taught us to answer the question, ‘what day is it?’ With ‘the best day of my life.’ We are writing our life story and get to choose what we do with it. Colorado Young Leaders show us options and gives us opportunities to leave a legacy.”
There is no doubt that Maddy’s passions are rooted deep within bettering her community and the lives around her, while also continuing to better herself. Maddy is driven, strong, wise, and young. She is the prime example for the young leaders of CYL and the surrounding youth within these communities and this country. We are so excited to have Maddy as part of our organization and love the way she continues to rock our lives. She’s a rock star, by our definition, and we hope to continue to see rock stars like her flourish.
Written by: Hillie Brumfield