Meet Amy Schanhals: Rapport's youth leadership coordinator
A graduate of both Teen Leadership Breakthrough and Teen Eagle Quest before moving to Las Vegas to attend college, Amy knew where she hoped to work as soon as she graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism and quickly applied for a position with Rapport. She joined our team in 2006, filling the role of Youth Leadership Coordinator. She passionately believes that the youth of this world deserve respect and love, and knows that investing in the teens and young adults of today will create a better future for everyone.
Why did you choose to work at Rapport?
Working at Rapport was a dream of mine when I was growing up, and when the opportunity came for me to work at Rapport I knew I was in the right place! As a teenager I got to attend both Teen Leadership Breakthrough and Teen Eagle Quest. Those two classes changed my outlook on life. I realized that even as a teenager I was in control of my life and the choices I made. Both of my parents are Rapport Master Graduates and were by the time I was 16, so the accountability, trust, open communication, sense of support and passion within my family was, and is, at levels that are off the charts! I knew the positive and lasting affects that attending Rapport had on me and my family, and working here I can give that same gift to other families across the world!
What do you love about your position at Rapport?
I love everything about what I do! I believe that I work for the best company and I have the best job in the organization! I get to work with teenagers and parents which is absolutely rewarding. For me to see the way teens develop and change is incredible, and the way they implement those changes in their families, schools, and communities is inspiring.
Another aspect of my job that I love is working with our nonprofit partners. There are groups like the The Werklund Foundation, the I Have a Dream Foundation and PEARLS for Teen Girls that we partner with and train. These are amazing organizations making a difference in communities and I am honored to work with them. There are also groups like the Reno Recharge Challengers who are Rapport graduates dedicated to sponsoring teens and young adults to attend Rapport. They are passing on a powerful and wonderful gift.
I also get to work with high schools within the United States and Canada and our university partner CIMBA. I believe by empowering students and teachers through leadership there will be positive change within the educational community and beyond when students come into the work force.
If you could share anything with the entire family of Rapport graduates what would it be?
The future leaders of our world are really amazing and can offer us so many lessons in life when we slow down and listen to them. Whether they are in high school, college or starting out in the workforce, the young men and women of our world can help us all change our approach to life and see things from a new angle. They are strong, passionate, and enthusiastic about the world and the role that they get to play in it. Tomorrow’s leaders face challenges everyday that some of us can’t fathom, and despite those challenges they are becoming successful in their schools and in their careers. We can learn from their excitement and love for learning, growth, moving forward and making changes. By getting involved and taking an active interest in the lives of the next generation we can help shape their lives and in turn they help us become better people. With the dedication and support of mentors, teens and young adults have the opportunity to be empowered to make a positive difference in the world.
