Alumni Spotlight: Abbey Parlier

Abbey Parlier is attending the University of Tennessee Knoxville for her undergraduate degree while at the same time working as a Front Desk Agent for Crowne Plaza Downtown Knoxville. She is a graduate of Mary Persons High School (2015) in Forsyth, GA. During her high school years she participated in many 21CL programs and served on the 21CL Youth Advisory Board. She says that 21st Century Leaders taught her to be a more creative, hands-on and fearless leader! Read more about 21st Century Leaders’ Alumna Abbey Parlier…

Paint a picture of what you are doing:

I am currently a student at the University of Tennessee Knoxville. I am studying Communications with a minor in Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management. I also work in guest services as a Front Desk Agent at the Crowne Plaza Downtown Knoxville. I am involved in the Communications Club and Baptist Collegiate Ministries on campus at UTK also.

How did participating in 21CL transform you and lead you to where you are now?

21st Century Leaders helped me decide that I wanted to pursue a job somewhere in the business industry. Over my time in college, that has evolved into wanting to be on the corporate side of the hotel and lodging industry. 21CL taught me to take the opportunities given to me, so that I can grow into a professional.

And how did 21CL prepare you for your next steps? Going into college and taking on leadership roles, heading into a new era of professionalism, etc. What skills/tools/perspectives have helped you along the way?

21CL taught me how to network with people around me. I feel as though my networking abilities have thrived ever since my time in 21CL. The job I currently have at the Crowne Plaza and my former job at the Hyatt Place Knoxville were opportunities I got because of me talking with guest speakers that we had in class. It also taught me a lot about how to balance my work life, school life, and personal life. I have been more willing to join clubs on campus and put myself out there as a student and professional because of 21CL.

Which programs did you participate in, and when? What skills did you gain or improve through those programs?

I participated in many 21CL programs during my high school years:

  • Summer 2014- Summer Youth Leadership Institute, Emory University
  • School Year 2013-2014- Youth Advisory Board
  • February 2014- Goizueta Youth Leadership Summit
  • October 2013- Fall Rally Day
  • August 2013- Back 2 School Kickoff
  • Summer 2013- Leadership Unplugged at Georgia Tech and CNN (now Turner Voices Youth Media Institute)
  • February 2013- Goizueta Youth Leadership Summit
  • October 2012- Fall Rally Day
  • Summer 2012- G5 @ Goizueta Business School, Emory University

What was a memorable or ‘aha’ moment in 21CL? (Particular program, meeting a professional and diverse peers, speaking in public for the first time, etc.?)

My most memorable moment from my time in 21CL was when I did G5 at Emory. It was my first 21CL experience. I met so many people who became great friends. It was also the camp that changed my outlook on my future. I became very involved with Future Business Leaders of America because of that camp. It shaped the course of my professional career aspirations and made me realize that I could excel in the business industry.

Did 21CL assist you in developing a leadership style that makes you an effective leader? if so how? And have you recently learned something else about leadership? Please share!

I would say 21CL taught me to be a more creative, hands-on, and fearless leader. I learned to put myself and ideas out there and take chances. One of the things I have learned about leadership in the hotel/lodging industry is leadership and management by walking around. It is imperative when you work in guest relations to have good communication and understand what the different departments of a hotel do and how they work. It is important that a leader stays in communication with the other departments of the hotel to make sure we are functioning smoothly.

Alumni Spotlight: Naomi Keitt

We are happy to feature 21CL Alumna Naomi Keitt, who is currently an anchor for FOX23 News in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In this alumni spotlight, she shares about how 21st Century Leaders helped to solidify her childhood dreams of being a TV reporter and news anchor. Naomi is a graduate of North Cobb Christian School (2009) and of the University of Georgia (2013).

Paint a brief picture of what you are doing now.

I am currently the weekend morning anchor for FOX23 News in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I also contribute to our weekday morning show as a reporter.

How did participating in 21CL transform you and lead you to where you are now?

21st Century Leaders helped equip me with the confidence to know I could pursue my dreams. For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to be a TV reporter and anchor. As a participant of the 21st Century Leaders program I got to experience behind the scenes of television news in high school which helped solidify my dreams to pursue this career.

And how did 21CL prepare you for your next steps? Going into college and taking on leadership roles, heading into a new era of professionalism, etc. What skills/tools/perspectives have helped you along the way?

21st Century Leaders gave me a head start on presenting myself confidently and with poise. It also brought me out of my comfort zone with meeting new people which helped tremendously as I started connecting with different groups in college.

Which programs did you participate in, and when? What skills did you gain or improve through those programs?

I took part in Leadership Unplugged: A CNN Experience (now the Turner Voices Youth Media Insititute) during the summer of 2008. I was heading into my senior year of high school and the summer leadership institute helped expose me to my current career. I learned about diversity in newsrooms, why storytelling is important and how to be an advocate.

What was a memorable or ‘aha’ moment in 21CL? (Particular program, meeting a professional and diverse peers, speaking in public for the first time, etc.?)

My ‘aha’ moment came when we had to give a presentation at the end of the program. It was a group of us that collaborated together. It showed me teamwork which is vital to what I do now, and also helped me tremendously in college. It also showed me that as a teenager I could present confidently in front of a group of adults.

Did 21CL assist you in developing a leadership style that makes you an effective leader? if so how? And have you recently learned something else about leadership? Please share!

21st Century Leaders helped me lead through action. Instead of sitting back and letting other people do the work, the program taught me to be alongside my peers in being able to effectively and successfully complete tasks. The program helped me develop my leadership style which continues to help me thrive in my work life right now.