I've attended the YMCA Center for Youth Voice Conferences for 5 years now, and through that experience, I've met a good friend, Neal Gysland. A former student and alumnus of the program, Neal returned to share his experiences with the delegates and captured moments of the conference with his passion for photography. At every conference, he shoots thousands of photos throughout the weekend, taking time to edit them before posting them for students to download and use completely free of charge. He has become a familiar face and celebrity among adults, with students begging for photos and learning all about photography from him. Neal often spends time with the media team, teaching them photography tips and techniques, and how to create engaging media. Neal has meant a lot not only to me at these conferences, but also to every student and adult who attends, and what happened at this one was truly unexpected.

Neal has attended for over 10 years, both as a student and advisor, always trusting that his belongings would be safe. This year at Model United Nations, held at the Marriott Hotel at City Center in Minneapolis, Neal left his suitcase of photography equipment, including his personal Sony camera and lens, to take photos on another floor. When he returned, he discovered that his camera had disappeared. At first, Neal wasn't too worried, as students often borrowed his camera to learn and take photos, but as the night went on, it still hadn't shown up. Neal contacted the Hotel Directors and Conference Staff and checked the security tapes, but unfortunately, nothing has turned up. He continues to search using the camera's serial number, but so far, there are no leads. This has never happened before, and it was shocking for both Neal and me. Neal has always trusted the students and the conference community with his belongings, and losing that trust is heartbreaking.

Neal is an integral part of these conferences, pouring his heart and soul into every photo and every event. Losing him would be devastating to the program's spirit. He cares deeply for this community and is an inspiration to so many youth, including myself. Neal is kind, thoughtful, and generous, and seeing this happen to him is absolutely heartbreaking. We all enjoy Neal's presence and his work, and this loss is incredibly unfortunate. We hope the camera is returned eventually, but in the meantime, please help support Neal. Your generosity will help him replace his equipment and continue to inspire and support youth at these conferences. Every donation, no matter the size, will help show Neal how much he means to this community and ensure he can keep making a difference for years to come.