Local student wins Moose Association youth congress, reflects on experience: ‘A really amazing opportunity’

WARNER ROBINS — A local high schooler has unlocked a valuable opportunity to help further her education and make an impact in her community, thanks to a local chapter of an organization.

Natalie Brantley, a senior at Houston County High School, recently won the Georgia Moose Association Youth Awareness Congress. Sponsored by Warner Robins Moose Lodge 1688, she was honored for her achievement at a meeting on March 17.

Brantley will travel to Phoenix in April to attend the International Youth Awareness Congress, where she will compete for a peer selected scholarship, the largest being $12,000, and prizes totaling $30,000.

At the Warner Robins chapter meeting, she also received donations from several organizations, totaling $1,500 of “fun money” for the upcoming trip.

Donations included $1250 from United With Care Inc, $500 from the Georgia Moose Association, $250 from Loyal Order of Moose Lodge 262 of Winder, $200 from Moose Lodge 1688 of Warner Robins, $200 from Warner Robins Chapter 1353 and $100 from an anonymous donor in Griffin.

To qualify, applicants must attend a Georgia Moose Association Congress, then lead a series of three KidsTalks with local children from kindergarten to sixth grade on various topics and write a one-page report on each experience.

Brantley’s concept, “Peaceful Debate,” was a workshop she presented to local groups on the importance of respect during disagreements.

At a Girl Scout group, she led them in making bookmarks.

“I did a ‘this or that’ challenge, to try and show them how you can have different opinions and express them without getting angry or starting a big argument,” she said.

For a kindergarten class at C.B. Watson Primary, she invited them to craft megaphones and decorate them.

A second-grade class also at C.B. Watson made a “talking stick” and Brantley led them in a respectful debate.

“I would read a topic out loud, and they would discuss with a partner about whatever they preferred. Some of them would disagree, and I would say, ‘What did you say to him or her to understand why this is your opinion?’ They were very engaging, and they enjoyed it,” she said.

Brantley said she enjoyed the talks and coming out of her shell. She was grateful for the opportunity and feels great about her achievements.

“[I’m] trying to get more comfortable with talking to different people. No matter how young they are, it’s big to get to know others and figure out what people’s opinions are. I liked meeting them,” she said.

Brantley recommends that high schoolers take part in the program, not only for the scholarship chance, but for the overall experience.

“It’ll help with people skills, for sure, and speaking skills. I think that’s a lot of things people struggle with, so it’s a really amazing opportunity,” she said.

Lyn Drinkard, co-chair of the Georgia Moose Youth Awareness Congress, said the program is a great opportunity for teens seeking volunteer work for college and scholarship applications. She, chairman Mike Coker, and other Moose members are visiting local schools to spread awareness.

Congresses are held in August, September and October, Drinkard mentioned.

“We’re trying to get more students aware of it, because it helps with community service, it educates the younger generation, and it’s good for other scholarship applications as well. And whoever wins, it’s a good experience for them,” she said.

Drinkard said any high school student is eligible to participate and interested teens should speak with their guidance counselor or email gma.youth.awareness@gmail.com.

More information about the program can be found on the Moose Lodge’s website.