Enjoy Life Club

The Enjoy Life Club and ELC Leadership Academy impacts and inspires the lives of today’s adolescents and in turn, positively influences parents, teachers, administrators, and school/community culture.  As the ELC’s impact grows so does our humility. We are extremely thankful and fortunate to have such selfless, giving and empowered club members.  We are equally (if not more) as inspired by their positive impact on the world our they are inspired by us. The Enjoy Life Club is only as strong as its members and, therefore, we feel strong enough to move the Earth!

Click to read what Parents are saying about the ELC

Click to read what Students are saying about the ELC

Or, continue reading this page for more in-depth descriptions and feedback…

“As teachers, we are very fortunate  to have this incredible opportunity to give and to serve, to follow our passion of teaching and above all else, to help students make their dreams possible. But, I am really convinced that I was the luckiest of all for getting the chance to work with a wonderful and amazing person, Mr Evren Gunduz. He is simply outstanding! The biggest compliment I can offer him is that he is truly a very unselfish person, fully dedicated to help the world instead of himself. I am convinced that the ELC Leadership Academy is a real revolution in modern teaching. Corneille, the very famous French writer, wrote in The Cid, act 2 scene 2, something that I am sure could be dedicated to Evren: ‘True, I am young, but for souls nobly born,valor doesn’t await the passing of years’.”

Marc Duplantier Teacher at LyceeVauban High School Luxembourg City, Luxembourg

“Having planned and participated in leadership seminars every Monday night for the past year and a half, I can honestly say no other presentation can compare to Evren’s Enjoy Life Club Leadership Academy and his ELC story. I have yet to see another speaker captivate the students in the way Evren did. His story is genuine, inspiring, and relatable to the students. Not only that, the format of his presentation was the most fun, interactive, upbeat 2 hours we have yet to experience as a program. He had the students up on their feet, cheering, laughing, and simply enjoying life. Evren’s dedication to his program is clear, and his message is unique, genuine, and a truly innovative perspective on leadership. He has an incredible ability to inspire and has changed my view of leadership forever, while teaching me exactly what is important in life. I would recommend his presentation to any group focused on any form leadership.”

Tom Coburn -
Founding ELC Member 2005
Shaw Leadership Program, Assistant Program Director
Boston College

“Evren Gunduz has had more of an effect on my life than any other person I know. When meeting him as Mr. Gunduz, the 8th grade science teacher, his methods and ideas went beyond the classroom to embrace a style that completely changed the way I viewed the world. As an 8th grade IGNITE Team member, my view of the world around me was changed to embrace Evren’s method of reaching out and taking life, an idea that traditional schooling has lost over time. Moving into high school, Evren’s ideas, mostly from the ELC, of how to look at the world gave me a sense of purpose that was otherwise lacking as I prepared to apply to school and move into my future. During my junior year of high school, the ELCi seemed to occupy as much of my thoughts as anything else and as we learned about ourselves and our program, my own ideas changed in an even more. I believe students who attend our ELC Leadership Academies will feel a definite positive impact when they leave because as teenagers ourselves, we know how to communicate in a much more effective manner. Evren Gunduz is the most positive and helpful person that I have ever met, along with being a fantastic friend. His teaching methods and ideas literally revolutionized the way I go about my life and gave me a new outlook on my future. Whenever I have a problem, Evren has both a solution and encouragement. He is the most selfless person I know and fully dedicated to helping the world instead of himself.”

Tony DeMore -
ELC Member since 2007
Hopkinton High School ‘11
Hopkinton, MA

“Participating in ELC has been an invaluable experience for my daughter. She was one of the original ELC members, and has maintained her connection with ELC and Evren as she progressed through middle and high school, and now as a college freshman. She continues to have a passionate interest in leadership, and is exploring how this interest might integrate with the field of positive psychology. As a college freshman in a large southern university, she has been selected to be a Student Ambassador, a highly competitive program, and has joined a co-ed service fraternity, APO. The values and perspectives of ELC continue to be very influential in her life, and have impacted her positively in a myriad of ways.”

Valarie Clemente-Crain -
Parent of an ELC Member

“After listening to Mr. Gunduz speak to my housemates and myself about the Enjoy Life Club, my own personal outlook on life has changed. The amount of energy, passion, and desire to do good that Mr. Gunduz displayed during his presentation was enough in itself to motivate towards a positive change in my life, this doesn’t even include the message he shared. Through his presentation and real life experiences I was able to understand what it truly meant to live life to the fullest, be positive, and just overall enjoy life. To this day I still wear my enjoy life bracelet and it serves as a little reminder to me to just smile, make a change, speak up, sit up and be a better me.”

Justin Germaine -
ELC Member since 2010
Shaw Leadership Program ‘14
Boston College

“The Enjoy Life Club is a motivating, inspirational journey which unites thousands of people through one empowering story. Evren Gunduz is a passionate and dynamic speaker, leaving you feel like his experiences are your own. His story uplifts your spirit, and provides a foundation to live a better, happier life. Being part of the ELC is having the ability to turn a frown into a smile, a stranger into a friend, and a story into a lifestyle. My encounters with the ELC has made me a more confident leader and provided me with a group of great people who I have an everlasting connection with.”

Travis Gagen -
ELC Member since 2007
University of Massachusetts Amherst ‘11

“Evren Gunduz is the master motivator of students and athletes. He teaches leadership skills to young adults better than anyone I have observed. He has a passion for education, coaching and fostering positive leadership with the students and athletes who have been blessed to part of his life. The biggest compliment I can offer Evren is that he lives the Enjoy Life Club philosophy of having positive energy, being genuinely happy and treating every person he comes in contact with respect. I wish I had half his energy and enthusiasm.”

Keith Verra -
Guidance Counselor
IGNITE Team Tri-Director
Hopkinton Middle School
Holliston Varsity Baseball, Head Coach

“The enjoy life club really illustrates to me the importance of positive thinking in all aspects of life, including leadership. Mr. Gunduz’s story of this club’s emergence and importance in his life is uniquely genuine, and only lends to the powerful ideas behind his program. His talk was presented in an interesting and enjoyable manner that still gave me time for serious reflection about how to approach others in my life. Overall, the Enjoy Life Club is an excellent demonstration of how a simple act of kindness can spark change wider than the intended effect. As a college student with a relatively short attention span for boring lectures, I can’t give enough praise to the Club and its message.”

Reese Onate -
ELC Member since 2010
Shaw Leadership Program ‘14
Boston College

“Evren Gunduz has impressed me from the moment I met him. He is a gifted leader. His energetic teaching style is a true motivator for those around him. He has the innate ability to inspire people. Evren is an incredibly talented classroom teacher who makes his lessons both enjoyable and enduring. His work outside of the classroom in the area of student leadership is also impressive. He is helping to create a new generation of leaders and inspiring kids to be all they can be, enjoy life, and make their mark on the world. He is one of the most impressive people I have encountered in the world of education.”

Jeffrey Kearney -
Grade 7 English Teacher
IGNITE Team Tri-Director
Hopkinton Middle School
Hopkinton, MA

“The Enjoy Life Club is an organization unlike any other that I have been a part of. Uniting with a group of people that I know have the same positive, motivating, inspirational outlook on life is a feeling that is unmatchable, and so comforting. Life is something that is often taken for granted by a large group of society, and it is hard to see people that have that view of their own life. The Enjoy Life Club has taught me that each day is so special, and the people that you surround your life with are like little treasures, so valuable and unbelievably important. ELC has made me realize that time is “of the essence” and if something or someone is important to you, you have to make it known, and in my opinion that is one of life’s most important lessons.”

Jocelyn Bugan -
ELC Member since 2008
UMass, Amherst ‘13

“Evren Gunduz has a gift, and we are lucky that he has realized the positive impact he can have on others by sharing this gift. The Enjoy Life Club and its origin story is one of the most inspirational creations I have come across. Evren’s genuinely positive outlook on life is contagious and he has taken this to new heights by sharing the ELC story with people across the country. When Evren tells his ELC story, you feel as though you are a part of something amazing. His energy and sincerity are unmatched. Evren’s gift for storytelling is only one part of what makes the ELC special- it is its simple message and accessibility that appeals to so many people. With a message of such positivity and a founder with such passion and energy, I am sure the Enjoy Life Club will continue to change people’s lives for years to come.”

Lauren Heller -
ELC Member since 2006
Doctoral Conducting Associate
The University of Cincinnati
College-Conservatory of Music

“Evren has a way of inspiring students just by his presence in the room. His enthusiasm and work ethic is infectious. He leads by example every day by coming to school excited, motivated, and ready to embrace the challenge of showing young adults how to reach their potential. He can fire up even the most cynical student and make them want to work hard to be a role model for others. Evren has charisma that makes him shine, and makes other want to light up the world too!”

Kary Noble -
Grade 8 History Teacher
Hopkinton Middle School

“Before I was introduced to the Enjoy Life Club, some of the views I had on leadership and coexisting with my peers were very closed minded and counterproductive the tasks I encountered in the leadership roles I’ve taken on. The program has made me think outside the box when it comes to such issues, and has impressed upon me a much more positive attitude toward the challenges that face me and anyone who tries to lead something. I would highly recommend participating in this program because it forces participants to challenge their standardized approaches toward leadership and life in general by using principles that are simple yet often overlooked. The challenges to these approaches won my approval as I’m sure they would anyone’s.”

Patrick Regan -
ELC Member since 2010
Shaw Leadership Program ‘14
Boston College

“Evren Gunduz is a fine example of an energetic and motivating teacher at our middle school. A dedicated science teacher for our 8th grade, he has pioneered our successful IGNITE leadership program, which has helped usher in the last 4 incoming 6th grade classes and made a positive impact on our school climate. Mr. Gunduz has recently completed a Masters program in Student Leadership at Harvard University and is eager to apply what he has gained from the program in order to develop and foster leadership within our students here at HMS.”

Jason Webster -
Assistant Principal
Hopkinton Middle School
Hopkinton, MA

“When I first joined the ELC I knew it was going to have a great impact on my life. When I joined in 8th grade, I was surrounded by great people and great leaders from the start. The people who joined in 8th grade with me, have been some of my closest friends ever since. Joining the ELC and getting involved within the community has literally changed my life for the better. I became more outgoing, my attitude toward life became more positive, I wanted to help others and be a positive leader.

I would highly recommend anyone and everyone to participate in the ELC leadership academy for many reasons. First off it is extremely fun, it forces people to go outside their comfort zone and try new and exciting things. By participating in the academy, you will form strong friendships and met new people who each have something different to offer. The ELC will change people’s attitudes on life and teach them how to be a more positive leader. This is something no one should miss out on. Evren Gunduz is someone who has impacted my life in an enormous way. By working with him on developing the ELC as well as having him as a soccer coach, he has changed the way I look at life. He has motivated me to strive for my absolute best and has transformed me into a positive leader. He is a phenomenal motivator, teacher, friend, and mentor. He is someone who you can easily talk to about anything with. He is always there to help and listen. With his many years of experience working with middle school kids, he knows the best ways to teach them and motivate them. Evren is someone who you just want to be around, and I am happy I am able to call him a friend.”

Ian Brohm -
ELC member since 2006
Saint Anselm College ‘14

“The Enjoy Life Club has truly made such an impact on my life. Through tough times, it kept my head up and allowed me to see the positive side of a negative situation. There are not enough positive words to describe Mr. Gunduz and the ELC. It is an absolute life-changing experience and promises to change an outlook from glass half empty to half full. There are so many different ways to look at life, and this club is an eye opener.”

Will Relle -
ELC member since 2007
Hopkinton High School Senior
Hopkinton, MA

“Evren is ELC. From the beginning he has displayed the positivity, enthusiasm, and passion that helps to define the ELC philosophy. He believes in the power of these principles and in that allows others to see the benefits in leading a similar lifestyle. Despite his successes, academic degrees, and incredible life experiences Evren has maintained the excitement and curiosity of adolescence. His work as a middle school teacher and a mentor to students of all ages has provided him with invaluable insight into the values and motivations of middle and high school students. He designed the Academy with their interests in mind. There is no better leader for the ELC Leadership Academy because there is no better example of someone who embodies everything that we stand for.

There is no way to truly measure how much I have benefitted from the Enjoy Life Club. ELC has become a passion of mine and I am better for it. It reminds me daily how to make the most out of every situation and to appreciate every opportunity. The positive philosophies have not only helped me change my perspective in life but I have gained even more from seeing the change in others who have had the pleasure and privilege of being a part of this incredible organization.

ELC Leadership Academies provide a unique opportunity for this age range. It is a leadership experience unlike anything out there in that it speaks to a group that I can consider an untapped resource. We strive to create a more complete idea about leadership that builds from a life full of positivity, passion, and enthusiasm. Over the course of the academy students will see first hand how the ELC philosophies have improved the lives of the teachers and former ELC students. It is our hope that students will be they will then apply these values to their own experiences.”

Shaye Ellis -
ELC Member since 2006
Richmond University ‘14

“My experiences in leadership sessions presented by George Parks and Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser left a profound impact on me as a young music student and developing teacher. Now that I teach high school, I encourage my students to develop leadership skills that will benefit them in band as well as in all areas of their lives. I believe that it is important for young people to build their leadership capacity as they learn to become contributing members of our society. I was thrilled to have been introduced to Evren Gunduz and his leadership programs when I was looking for clinicians to work with my students. Evren and I instantly recognized our mutual expectations for students and our shared enthusiasm for developing student leaders. The students and I have learned so much from his stories, thought-provoking activities, and team-building games. My students request his sessions every year, and there is always something new to learn. I have noticed positive changes in my students including more positive peer and adult interactions and an enhanced sense of ownership of the program. We are proud to be a part of the Enjoy Life Club and to consider Evren a friend of the Simsbury Band!”

Lisa Marino -
Band Director
Simsbury High School
Simsbury, CT

“As a high school student, I think that the ELC Leadership Academy was extremely successful at making us work together as a group. Through trust-building activities, we came out more able to count on and help each other every day in band. The “how high can you jump” activity is amazing, because it reminds us to always try our very best, not just enough to get by. Overall, it reminds us of the importance of teamwork and looking for the positives in life. We all came out of it wanting to make every day in band one where we will ‘enjoy life’!”

Allison Hughes -
ELC member since 2008
Simsbury High School
Simsbury, CT

“I have a great story about the ELC and the leadership program to tell you. On the first day of orientation in the summer (the weeks before classes started), I met my orientation group. The twenty of us all sat in a circle. I turned to the kid next to me who looked familiar. I introduced myself and sort of got distracted. I asked him about what was distracting me. He was wearing an orange enjoy life club wrist band. Turns out he was part of the group of Hopkinton students that came to the Methodist church that time in Simsbury! We are now really good friends! It’s a small world. The ELC Leadership Academy helps propel teenage adolescents into a mindset of positive leadership capabilities that they never knew existed. In going through the program, students experience a stretch in their comfort zones, ultimately giving them the confidence to lead. The program not only preaches leadership techniques, but also preaches to enjoy life for what it has given you. This leadership program puts aside negativity and unhappiness in life and unveils the positivity and joy that many people are missing.”

Jesse Imse -
ELC member since 2008
Simsbury High School
Simsbury, CT

“From the point of view of a freshman who hardly knew anyone as I joined the Simsbury High School Band Program, what could be a better way to truly get to know my classmates than a leadership retreat, especially one presented by Evren Gunduz? I knew instantaneously from our band teacher that this young, energetic, musically inclined enthusiast would have the competence to coax the leader in me to express herself. His passionate words and striking stories left the room silent. And that’s when I knew every starred thought was priceless.”

Claire Keating -
ELC member since 2008
Simsbury High School
Simsbury, CT

“I attended several leadership programs, but none compare to the ELC. This leadership academy is the most effective because Evren creates a fun and enthusiastic environment where students can let their guard down. This is crucial in order to effectively explore leadership skills and learning to use those skills. Lessons I learned about enjoying life through this academy continue to inspire me today, and it’s impossible to put into words how much being part of ELC has positively impacted me. But don’t take my word for it – go see for yourself!”

Kelly O’Connor -
ELC member since 2007
Hopkinton High School
Hopkinton, MA

“Evren started one of, if not the most upbeat, positive groups I’ve heard of. The ELC has a great message. Regardless of class, gender, race, age, we can all use some more happiness and positivity in the world. At it’s heart, the ELC is really all about is enjoying life even through the hardships we may face. Mr. Gunduz is an inspiring guy, and the world would be wise to listen to him!”

Liam Horsman -
ELC member since 2009
Hopkinton Middle School
Hopkinton, MA

“The Enjoy Life Club came at the perfect time to our school. When the definition of leadership was beginning to get fuzzy, all it took was the ELC to help redefine and reunite our school’s leaders. I believe that it is safe to say that no one left school today without a new outlook on the power of a smile. The ELC has a huge message, but Evren does such an amazing job communicating this message, that it is impossible not to understand and leave a different person. If every school invested in the ELC, they would be investing in far more than just a leadership curriculum. The ELC is a leadership revolution and, without a doubt, is a program that will better our leaders of tomorrow.”

Allie Sinofsky -
ELC Member since 2009
Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School
Dennis, MA