SAN ANTONIO – The Young Men’s Leadership Academy (YMLA), a school dedicated to helping boys become the best versions of themselves, celebrated its 10th anniversary Monday with reflections from past and current students about the transformative role the school has played in their lives.
Ryan Gonzales, a 2024 graduate of YMLA, returned to the campus to share his story of personal growth during his time there.
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“Everyone has a destiny… My destiny was to come here and grow as a person,” Gonzales said.
He credited the school with helping him discover his identity and goals, saying, “I was able to find myself and find what I really want for myself.”
YMLA opened its doors in August 2015 as part of the San Antonio Independent School District’s (SAISD) initiative to expand single-gender education. The school fosters an environment that encourages students to express themselves and build positive self-esteem.
Principal Derrick Brown described YMLA’s mission, saying, “What we focus on in our culture is building young men from the inside out. We accept you just as you are, and we build you from there to the man you want to become.”
Current senior Raishaun Conaway also spoke about his transformative journey, emphasizing how the lessons he has learned at YMLA are shaping his future.
“I’ve grown as a person. I’ve grown as a human being. And I just love to help others,” Conaway said.
As the school looks to the future, its goal remains clear: continue providing a strong foundation for success for young men in the community.
YMLA is free to attend and welcomes students from Bexar County and surrounding areas.
For more information you can visit the school’s website.