The Power of Connection
Adolescence is one of the most socially challenging times in life. Teens are figuring out who they are, where they fit in, and what kind of people they want around them. Yet, most schools focus almost entirely on academic —often overlooking one of the most important life skills: how to socialize, connect, and build meaningful relationships.
According to the CDC’s 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, about 4 in 10 high school students reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, and roughly 42% said they did not receive the social and emotional support they needed at school. These numbers reveal just how widespread feelings of loneliness and disconnection are among teens today.
It’s not that students don’t want to connect—they just aren’t taught how. Socializing is a skill like math, writing, or coding. It takes practice, patience, and guidance to learn. That’s where the Valley Guardians Executive Leadership Coaching Program makes a difference. It provides a supportive environment for students to explore who they are, understand social dynamics, and practice being confident, kind, and authentic with others. When students learn to be themselves and feel accepted for who they are, they begin to thrive.
Discovering Confidence Through Connection
For Ezmie Ramos, the journey toward confidence and connection wasn’t easy. Before joining the Valley Guardians program, she struggled socially at her previous school. She found it difficult to build stable friendships and often felt disconnected. At one point, her only close friend drifted away to join another group—an experience that deeply hurt and made school feel isolating.
But as Ezmie would later reflect, this experience also taught her something powerful: when people don’t know who they are, they sometimes trade authenticity for acceptance. It’s not that they are unkind—it’s that they are searching for belonging in all the wrong places.
Ezmie, however, chose a different path. Even through the hurt, she stayed true to herself—a creative, imaginative, and deeply thoughtful young woman.
A Creative Mind With Endless Potential
If you really get to know Ezmie, you quickly see she is rich with personality. She listens to unique underground music that blends 1950s style with modern pop. She has a vivid imagination and a rare gift for creative writing—her stories pull readers into each scene with such color and emotion that you can almost see them play out like a movie.
Beyond her writing, she loves making arts and crafts—everything from sock monkeys to personalized gifts for people she cares about. Her creativity shines brightest when it’s shared with others.
Her big turning point came in Fall 2024, when she officially joined the Valley Guardians program and transferred to LEADAZ Private School, a partner school of the program. There, she was surrounded by peers who were also learning not just academics, but life skills—how to discover who they are, build friendships, and find confidence in their uniqueness.
Finding Her Place and Growing Into Herself
At LEADAZ, Ezmie found what had been missing: an environment where she could be herself without pressure to fit into a mold. Throughout the year, she participated in social activities, leadership challenges, and field trips that pushed her to connect and grow. She built friendships with other students who, like her, were learning how to navigate the ups and downs of teenage life.
With this new support system, she started to open up. She joined the school choir, performed in multiple recitals, explored early childhood education by teaching younger students, and even tested out art club, sewing, and culinary arts. She discovered new passions—like Formula 1 racing, which she now enjoys watching with her dad—and learned which interests weren’t the right fit for her, which was equally valuable.
Through it all, she gained the courage to participate more in her church youth group, strengthening her confidence and relationships there as well.
Today, as a sophomore, Ezmie is known as one of the sweetest and most involved students at her school. She’s not done growing—none of us ever are—but she’s found her rhythm. Her confidence, kindness, and authenticity continue to draw others in.
The Bigger Lesson: True Success Comes From Being Yourself
Ezmie’s journey shows that social skills aren’t about popularity—they’re about authenticity. Real confidence doesn’t come from fitting in everywhere; it comes from knowing who you are and valuing yourself enough to keep showing up, even when it’s hard.
There’s a place for everyone, no matter how different they are. The more students practice connecting, getting involved, and trying new things, the more they discover about themselves—and the more confidence they gain. That confidence attracts genuine friendships and opportunities that shape who they’ll become.
Thanks to the Valley Guardians Executive Leadership Coaching Program and the nurturing environment at LEADAZ Private School, Ezmie is learning one of life’s greatest lessons: being yourself is your greatest strength.
THE VALLEY GUARDIANS LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
The Valley Guardian program is a multiyear coaching program for underserved students in the community. It was created by successful business people in the valley. They got together and formed a non-profit to find ways to fund developmental programs for kids in underserved communities. This program was aimed toward the underserved kids in the valley who have good hearts and have a desire to be successful and be mentored. The kids who are a part of this program have access to all different kinds of services like professional coaches, coaching calls, getaways, leadership education and training workshops, access to professionals in the valley, college and career readiness and more. The Valley Guardian program started with a single school of 6 students, and overtime has grown to 13 schools, 7 districts, and 49 active students. Overall there have been 120 students who have benefited from this program.
The Valley Guardians program offers over thirty online and in person workshops per year. We do many different types of workshops per year including things like arcades, parks, hikes, parties, and online leadership training. Many of the kids who come are not very social and are looking for a place to feel comfortable and be able to meet new people while being themselves. When they come to programs they have a great time. The way we set them up makes kids feel comfortable, whether we ask them what they are interested in doing or set them up to meet new people through social activities at the beginning of each event. The students find they feel connected and accepted through the program.