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JULY 2026 NEWSLETTER

Updated: Jul 1

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY


The Power of the Pause: Building Community Takes Time and Intention



When the new school year starts, many students will step into a new environment eager to make friends and embrace new experiences.

 

In our search for belonging and fulfillment, we often move quickly, rushing toward connection, eager to fit in, and afraid of being left behind. Yet, what if the most powerful thing we could do in those moments is pause? A pause is not hesitation, it is wisdom in motion. It is the space between impulse and action where our values get to have a voice. Before we say yes to an invitation, a group, or an environment, pausing allows us to ask: Does this align with who I am and who I am becoming?

 

Pausing invites us to ask: What do I value? What kind of community do I want to build? These questions shape our path. And the summer, with its slower rhythm and open spaces, is the perfect time to sit with them.

 

Pausing can also be constructive in moments when we feel rejected by a community we hoped to join.  Often, on reflection, we see that not becoming part of a group is not a failure, but a subtle redirection of our energies, pointing the way to more uplifting, nurturing communities.

 

Think about the environments where you have felt most alive, where your voice was welcomed, your ideas were celebrated, and your presence made a difference. What made those spaces that way? Chances are, they were built by people who led with compassion, listened actively, included others with intention, nurtured the gifts of those around them, and collaborated to build something greater than themselves. These are the pillars of the CLEARING Model, and they begin with a single, courageous choice: to pause before we act.

 

As you prepare for a new school year, we invite you to build your own Pause Practice. Before saying yes to a new group, activity, or commitment, take a moment to ask yourself:

 

         •        Does this space reflect my values?

         •        Will I be encouraged to grow individually or pressured to fit in?

         •        Can I show up as my full self: with empathy, accountability, and gratitude?

 

If the answer to any of these feels uncertain, that is not a reason to walk away, it may be an invitation to lead. Compassionate leaders don’t just find the right community, they create one, by taking responsibility for the energy they bring, holding themselves accountable to their values, and extending gratitude for every experience, including the ones that redirected them.

 

That is the kind of community we all deserve, and more importantly, the kind of community each of us has the power to build. Together as ONE, we lead with compassion!

 


ATLF Ambassadors Corner


Being an ATLF Ambassador has been such an amazing experience and has taught me so much about leadership, service, and making a difference in my community. Through this program, I have been able to meet new people, participate in meaningful opportunities, and learn from others who are also passionate about helping those around them.


One of my favorite parts about being an ambassador is seeing how small actions can make a big impact. ATLF has taught me that leadership is not just about being in charge, but about showing up, supporting others, and working together toward a common goal.


This experience has also helped me step outside my comfort zone and become more confident as a leader. I am so grateful for everything I have learned and for the friendships and connections I have made along the way.


Being part of ATLF has inspired me to continue looking for ways to give back, grow as a person, and make a positive impact in my community.


-Ella Brandt

 ATLF Junior  Ambassador



PAST EVENTS


Congratulations to Ellie Feldman 2026 Recipient of the Antonio Tsialas Leadership Award at Ransom Everglades



Last month, we had the privilege of presenting Ellie Feldman with the Antonio Tsialas Leadership Award at Ransom Everglades. This annual recognition of a rising senior who leads with compassion and lives out a calling to serve is a treasured tradition.


This award exists because of Antonio, and it reflects the leadership he embodied. We are proud to honor leaders who work tirelessly to uplift others. Ellie is exactly that kind of leader. We were touched when she shared with us that the ATLF compassionate leadership program she completed as a sophomore helped inform and inspire her own leadership practice. Students like Ellie give us so much hope for the future!



Her contributions to her school and peers reflect the very values this award was created to honor, and we are deeply grateful to witness her impact.


We wish Ellie all the best as she steps into this exciting new season and our sincere thanks to the Ransom Everglades School staff and faculty for their steadfast support.



Ready to hone your leadership skills



If you want to learn and practice powerful techniques to become a truly impactful leader, the ATLF Ambassador program may be for you! In the year-long program you will attend bi-monthly meetings to explore the CLEARING Model of Compassionate Leadership and put those new skills to work through service to the community. You will also develop the tools to recognize and prevent hazing and bullying in your community.


Leadership skills are like muscles, they get stronger with practice, and the Ambassador Program introduces leadership practices that can last a lifetime.


High school juniors and seniors are invited to learn more at an information session on Friday, July 24, 2026 at 7:00 PM. 


Register to join our next information session by clicking the button below





 or email us at info@antoniotsialasfoundation.org to learn more.


Together as ONE, we lead with compassion



 
 
 

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