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America<\/em>\u2019s Horse, April 30, 2009 \u2013 <\/em>The American Quarter Horse Youth Association is gearing up for the annual Bank of America Youth Excellence Seminar and American Quarter Horse Youth Association Convention June 25-27 at the\u00a0Amarillo\u00a0Civic\u00a0Center.\u00a0 Take advantage of early registration at a reduced rate of $75. The early registration deadline has been extended to May 8!<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n The $75 registration fee for youth members and adults also includes meals during the three-day conference. Registrations must be in the office (not postmarked) by May 8.<\/span><\/p>\n More than 200 AQHYA members are expected to attend this year\u2019s event.\u00a0 The Youth Excellence Seminar focuses on developing AQHYA members\u2019 leadership through several group activities and expert motivational speakers.<\/span><\/p>\n This year\u2019s motivational speakers are Rhett Laubach and Stewart Kennedy. As a professional speaker, author, presentations coach, Personal Leadership Insight expert and owner of YourNextSpeaker LLC, Laubach has taught leadership skills for more than 15 years to more than half a million audience members in 40 states, the Bahamas and Canada. An accomplished entrepreneur and speaker, Kennedy has been involved in start-up ventures or worked in real estate development, the food industry, the pet products industry and the dental industry. Kennedy has presented programs to approximately 350,000 people across many states.<\/span><\/p>\n Through YES, youths will gain a greater understanding of the American Quarter Horse industry and learn ways they can become more involved in AQHYA.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span>\u201cOur goal is for youth members to get involved in all aspects of AQHA, and at the same time, learn valuable leadership skills that will enhance their AQHYA experience,\u201d said\u00a0Ward Stutz, AQHA Director of Youth Programs and Education. \u201cThe more our youth members learn about AQHA and how to become an effective leader, the better they will lead the Association in the future, and they become better citizens in the process.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Voting delegates will elect AQHYA officers and directors during the convention. \u00a0AQHYA\u2019s 11 regions will each elect three directors during the conference. It\u2019s not too late to declare your candidacy and shape the future of AQHYA. Youth members interested in running for a director position must declare their candidacy by May 8. Visit\u00a0http:\/\/www.aqha.com\/youth\/activities\/leaderconference.html<\/span><\/a><\/em> for more information. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n For additional information on this year\u2019s YES and AQHYA Convention, visit\u00a0http:\/\/www.aqha.com\/youth\/activities\/leaderconference.html<\/span><\/a><\/em> or call (806) 376-4811.<\/span><\/p>\n