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NEW S OF T H E WORL D L EA DER IN ESS ENTIAL OI L S
CONTINUED SERVICE IN ECUADOR The Young Living Foundation’s Service Trip FOUNDER’S MESSAGE
Springtime is a refreshing time for me because
of the opportunities that begin to sprout—in the fields, in our businesses, and in our relationships. I enjoy it as a time to celebrate how Young Living
Young Living Academy's most recent graduates received their graduation diplomas in March.
has enabled me to cultivate and nurture my passion for helping people with essential oils and
In March, following another successful year of
oil-infused products. It’s a passion that will never
service and opportunities for the underserved, the D.
leave me, and it’s the force that drives me to work
Gary Young, Young Living Foundation celebrated the
The trip was capped off with the graduation of 23 seniors
around the clock, travel the globe, and even risk
second graduation at its flagship project—the Young
from the Young Living Academy. These graduates glowed
my safety at times.
beautiful time in Ecuador—it was humbling, yet powerful, to see such a meek people sharing their culture.”
Living Academy in Ecuador. The Foundation envisions
with pride and excitement as Gary and Mary Young placed
This spring we have the opportunity for growth
a world where children are provided with the resources
their graduation caps and handed them their diplomas.
and development. Take a moment to ask yourself
and opportunities necessary to become confident, self-
With only 20 percent of the kids in Chongon graduating
what drives you. Is your reason for sharing Young
reliant leaders who can take control of their own health,
from high school, these students are the second senior
Living the opportunity to help those in need?
provide for their families, and positively change their
class to have achieved a 100 percent graduation rate from
Are you hoping for personal development and
communities. The Young Living Academy is a crucial
the Young Living Academy.
abundance? We are given so much potential,
piece of this mission.
and yet many people don’t take advantage of the time they have to pursue their dreams.
From engineering, to medicine, to visual arts, and
Before the graduation ceremony main event, however,
everywhere in between, the 23 seniors are planning to
over 25 Young Living members joined the Foundation
make a difference in the world through their careers. Each
Working toward achieving a dream isn’t
team to serve local people. They built one home and
of them gained a valuable education from the Young Living
particularly easy, but it will be one of the most
expanded another for the families of students attending
Academy.
fulfilling experiences of your life. I often think back
the Young Living Academy. Both families were faced with
during school, these graduates will continue defying their
to1993 when I experienced a most frustrating and
trying and difficult times while trying to provide homes
limitations and achieving their potential.
yet amazingly gratifying time as I worked toward
and education for their children. Despite troubling
“There's nothing better than serving,” said Nikki Davis,
my dream of being able to farm and produce
times, both of these families showed an immense level
Young Living’s senior director of global philanthropy.
pure essential oils. Through trial and error, I
of gratitude.
“There's just something about being a part of something
learned a lot about farming and how to protect
Young Living Brand Ambassadors Stevie Baggs Jr. and
the crops from deer when I was growing clary
Bryan Clay joined the team serving in Ecuador. When
sage. I learned about gophers and pests when
sharing his experience, Stevie said: “I had the most
With the drive and determination acquired
greater than ourselves that minimizes inconveniences and eases burdens.”
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the roots of the thyme crop were being eaten by hungry critters. I learned about organic farming methods and the location of specific crops when the peppermint I planted in St. Maries became moldy because the water settled right in the middle of my crop during the rainy season. It was
GARY'S GREAT ALASKAN RACE You Can Accomplish Anything to Which You Set Your Mind
exhilarating to learn more and more, even when I
money for The D. Gary Young, Young Living Foundation’s
didn’t like the results of my bad decisions or lack
ongoing project in Nepal to rebuild homes destroyed in
of knowledge.
the devastating 2015 earthquake.
Dogsled Racing
A journey begins with a simple step of focusing on your first goal. Once you accomplish
The first race Gary competed in was the Tustumena 200,
your goal, you’ll find yourself becoming more
a 200 mile out-and-back course through the Caribou Hills
motivated and excited as you see the possible
on the Kenai peninsula that started in Kasilof, with the
realization of your dream.
half-way turn-around point in Homer.
It’s so important to remember where you started
The second race, the Willow 300, started and ended on
and to enjoy the feeling of self-accomplishment.
Willow Lake, which is the same start location for the famed
Be an example for those around you, live your
Iditarod’s southern route. The Willow 300 race course was
passion to the fullest, and fulfill your destiny.
less straightforward and had multiple out-and-back spurs
D. Gary Young and one of his sled dogs.
as it wound through the wilderness beneath the shadow of Mt. Denali, the highest mountain in North America.
In January and February 2017, Young Living Founder
Gary had the same team of 12 dogs for both races, which
and Chairman of the Board D. Gary Young competed
were mostly young two-year-olds. This was the first race
in two challenging dogsled races in Alaska, over two
for these dogs; and because of this, Gary has commented
consecutive weekends, with a total of 500 race miles.
that he and the dogs were learning how to race together.
Gary competed in these two races to raise awareness and
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