I joined YES in 2023 during my final year of high school, without fully knowing what to expect. What I found was an experience that was not only genuinely enjoyable but also opened doors to opportunities I hadn’t imagined. One of the highlights of that year was competing in Entrepreneurs in Action. It was three days of fast-paced challenges, collaboration, and meeting new people,  an experience that pushed me and made it incredibly rewarding. I also had the opportunity to attend the Business Hall of Fame at the end of 2023, where I was able to sit alongside a 2023 Laureate for the evening and speak about their achievements. It was a memorable evening that led to meaningful connections, some of which have continued beyond the event. In fact, one of the individuals I met later reached out the following year with an opportunity to feature my product in a magazine, a reminder of how valuable these connections can be.

While these experiences were significant, the most rewarding part of my YES journey has been becoming an alumni mentor. I’ve had the privilege of mentoring at Young Navigators for two consecutive years, and it has been the highlight of my experience. Being able to support and guide younger students, while also witnessing their creativity and determination, has been incredibly fulfilling. My first year mentoring in 2025 was especially memorable. I was genuinely impressed by the level of insight, work ethic, and innovation shown by the students. Seeing their ideas come to life, and ultimately achieving success together, reinforced the importance of thinking creatively, supporting ideas with evidence, and working collaboratively to bring them to reality.

Returning again in 2026 as a mentor and previous winner was both exciting and slightly nerve-racking. Even in a mentoring role, there is a sense of anticipation that comes with the experience. However, the feeling of working together towards a shared goal and seeing it all come together is something that is hard to match.Overall, YES has been one of the most impactful parts of my journey so far, not only because of the opportunities it has provided, but because of the people I’ve met and the chance to give back through mentoring.

Keep an eye out as we share 45 YES Effect stories in celebration of our 45th birthday. If you have been impacted by YES as a student, alumni, parent, teacher, sponsor or supporter, would love to hear your story here: https://youngenterprise.fillout.com/t/1GpyvjGycAus