by Naoko Leslie
SGI-USA Women’s Leader
Dear parents of middle school children,
How are things going with your children these days? Ikeda Sensei calls future division members the “infinitely precious treasures of the future.”[1] What greater gift can we give these treasures than the opportunity to experience something unforgettable—something that can empower their hearts for life?
This July 25–28, the Florida Nature and Culture Center (FNCC) will host its first Junior High School Conference, specifically designed to meet the needs of today’s junior high school students. Let’s help our children create a new history together—as the inaugural graduating class of this transformative conference!
As a parent, I’m very excited to send my son. My son loved every minute of the
Elementary School Division conference at FNCC—the food, ice cream with toppings, outdoor games, the pool, having fun with friends and the freedom to be himself. This conference promises all of this and more, everything planned just for their age group.
More than the fun and the memories, there is something deeply profound about FNCC. Sensei’s daimoku for the happiness and victory of our children permeates the entire campus. Whether our children realize it or not, just being there is a benefit. Sensei’s warmth will remain in their hearts and guide them in the days ahead.
We don’t need to worry—they’ll be embraced by our daimoku, and the incredible youth and future division leaders, who like older siblings will cheer them on and support them. The connections they make will become lifelong treasures for them and a lifeline for us as parents.
If you are concerned about their flight, either you or another participant’s parent can fly together with them. This is what I will be doing with my son! At the airport they will be greeted by wonderful future division leaders or Soka Group members so you do not have to worry! If you don’t know who is going from your local area, please reach out to your local future division or line leaders.
FNCC is the only place where our children can connect with peers from across SGI-USA and learn what it truly means to win in life. All our children, without a single exception, have missions that only they can fulfill. Here, they will start to awaken to their unique mission—not only to become happy and resilient themselves but also to bring happiness to others and contribute to a peaceful world. This conference will be a unique place where they can embrace this vision on a grand scale.
In today’s society, this kind of learning is more vital than ever. Our children must be empowered no matter what and acquire a life philosophy of supreme optimism.
In San Francisco, when the SGI-USA junior high and high school division was formed in 1993, Sensei spoke about how many of the first members of the future division in Japan became diplomats, government officials, leading figures in industry, scholars, doctors, lawyers and leaders of the SGI community—all “friends committed to kosen-rufu.”[2] He continued:
I also believe that in the same way, or to an even greater extent, humanistic leaders will emerge like a glittering galaxy of stars from the future division of the SGI-USA in the 21st century. I firmly believe this.[3]
Let’s send our children to FNCC this summer and help them become the glittering stars Sensei envisioned. Let’s have them engrave in their hearts an unforgettable memory with Sensei!
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