Victor Organista’s April was filled with the kind of leadership that meets people where they are: at the ballpark, in after-school programs, on community roadsides, and in everyday moments of connection. As a Southern Plains Executive Committee member, Victor continued showing up for Native youth, adults, and elders through mentorship, recreation, environmental service, and community engagement.
His work reflects a simple but powerful truth: servant leadership is built through presence.
Victor was invited by the Firekeepers Youth Council advisors to help chaperone Firekeepers Youth Council and Junior Firekeepers Youth Council members on a sponsored trip to watch the Kansas City Royals play the Milwaukee Brewers at Kauffman Stadium. The youth were able to enjoy the game from a dugout box, but Victor’s favorite part was walking with the kids around the stadium and helping them participate in the fun activities offered there, including Sluggerrr’s Base Run, Sluggerrr’s Batting Challenge, and Sluggerrr’s Pitching Mound.
For Victor, the trip was more than a baseball game. It was an opportunity to support youth, create positive memories, and help young people experience something exciting together in a safe and encouraging environment.
During the after-school program at the Boys and Girls Club of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, Victor was asked to host a basketball game for boys in third through fifth grade. He served as both referee and scorekeeper during the 5-on-5 game, organizing four 4-minute quarters so the youth could finish before heading home. This kind of leadership may seem simple, but it matters. By creating structured, fun, and positive activities, Victor helped youth practice teamwork, confidence, sportsmanship, and healthy movement. He continues to use basketball as a tool for connection and mentorship, showing younger youth that their community has leaders who care enough to show up and play their part.
Victor also visited Garden City for his niece’s First Communion and had the opportunity to meet and speak with Miss Garden City Fiesta. While this was a personal family trip, the moment also reflected Victor’s ability to build respectful relationships across communities and connect with other young leaders. Those conversations help strengthen networks of support and remind youth leaders that leadership can happen anywhere—even in the middle of a family weekend. No podium required, just good energy and a willingness to connect.
To celebrate Earth Day, the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation hosted a roadside cleanup across the PBPN reservation. Each Tribal department was assigned a mile of road to clean, and Victor participated alongside the Boys and Girls Club and other PBPN departments. By the end of the cleanup, Victor’s department collected six 60-gallon bags of trash. Their work helped care for the land, beautify the community, and model environmental responsibility for youth and families.
Victor shared, “I was excited to see that the PBPN tribe set time aside to host the cleanup, and I am joyful that I was able to help make our community a better place.”
He also added, “I hope this inspires communities nearby to do the same!”
His reflection shows how one local service project can ripple outward, encouraging other communities to take action in caring for the places they call home.
Reflecting on his month, Victor shared, “These events helped me continue to be present in my community by helping the youth, adults, and elders of the community.”
That presence is the heart of his leadership. Whether chaperoning youth at a baseball game, refereeing an after-school basketball game, meeting community leaders, or joining a roadside cleanup, Victor continues to lead by being dependable, involved, and ready to serve.
Victor’s work reflects the mission of the National UNITY Council, which brings together Native youth, Native Hawaiian youth, and Alaskan Native youth to study common concerns, strengthen leadership skills, and speak with a positive and unified voice. Through youth mentorship, environmental service, recreation, and community engagement, Victor is helping inspire hope and change lives for the better in Indian Country.
As the Southern Plains Regional Representative on the National UNITY Council Executive Committee, Victor Organista plays an important role in representing Native youth voices from his region while helping strengthen UNITY’s national network. His April service shows that leadership is not only found in major events—it is found in the everyday commitment to show up, serve well, and help make the community stronger for everyone.