🌊 LET’s Dive in! 🌊

Today, our staff began one of the most exciting and anticipated weeks of the year as we welcomed the delegation to LYS #56! This year’s theme is A Deep Dive Into Leadership, and we are already diving right in.

The morning started the only way LYS knows how: staff charging toward cars and buses, unloading luggage 🧳, cheering loudly 📣, and making sure every delegate from across Louisiana and beyond felt welcomed from the moment they arrived. From day one, we want every delegate to know that LYS is the one place they cannot fail.
Delegates were divided into their Home Groups, where they met their Counselors and Junior Counselors, shared lunch, and started building the friendships and team spirit that make LYS so special. ***Meet our staff here 😎***
The 2026 Seminar officially kicked off with Opening Convocation, where the delegation got its first real taste of the power, enthusiasm, and tradition of LYS. The convocation included welcoming speakers, the introduction of our LYS theme song, "No Man Is An Island", a SuperGREAT skit by Head Table, the JC Dance, and so much more.
Sunday evening, delegates will get to know one another through Mixer, led by staffer Henry Morse. Mixer brings the entire delegation together for activities designed to help everyone meet someone new, laugh a little, and jump fully into the LYS experience.
The night will wrap up with Home Groups working on their Color, Mascot, Symbol, and Theme presentations as they prepare for Monday’s competitions.

We are proud of these delegates already. Talk to you tomorrow, and check back soon for more pictures from LYS #56!

Day 1: anchors aweigh REGISTRATION & OPENING CONVOCATION ⚓️🛳️

DR. SONJA PRUITT-LORD | LYS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Dr. Sonja Pruitt-Lord is the Executive Director of Louisiana Youth Seminar and Vice Provost at San Diego State University, where she also leads in the field of Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences. A proud LYS alumna and Hall of Fame member, Sonja first attended as a delegate in 1995 and has since served in nearly every leadership role at Seminar, including Program Director and member of the Board of Directors. Whether mentoring students in California or championing young leaders in Louisiana, she is passionate about helping others find their voice and create meaningful impact. >> Read More

abby reames | lys program director

Abby Reames is a Metairie, LA native and a graduate of Archbishop Chapelle High School. She earned her degree from the University of New Orleans, where she majored in Biology and minored in Chemistry. In her non-LYS life, Abby is currently in a gap period before starting OT school, working as the Administrative Manager for Stanford Senior Services and as an aftercare teacher at Highlands Montessori School in Denver, Colorado. >> Read More

Who are those people in the red shirts?

LYS is staffed by volunteer college students and young professionals who work throughout the week of LYS and year-round to implement an incredible week for our delegates. Each “home group” has a Counselor and Junior Counselor who are responsible for that group of delegates for the week. The staff is led by a “head table” of red shirts who support and direct them throughout the week.

Meet the 2026 LYS staff here.

LET’s MAKE a SPLASH 🐋 WITH 2026 MIXER!

Every day, Head Table will award Group of the Day to the group that displays the most spirit, travels the best, and works well together all day. The Group of the Day receives the coveted LYS Flag (you can spot it in pictures throughout the week).