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Lead On! XXII Youth Leadership Conference
The 22nd Annual Lead On! Youth Leadership Conference was held on Tuesday, March 11, 2008 at the Bucks County Community College in Newtown. Over 250 students, advisors, facilitators and volunteers attended.
Keynote speaker, Keith Davis, who put on a dynamic and interactive presentation, “The Leader Within,” conveyed a powerful message about leadership and reaching one’s potential inside and outside of the classroom. Mr. Davis, a former college and professional football player, used feats of strength as attention grabbers and visual aids to reinforce his message about raising the bar, reshaping your life and reaching for the big dream. He was extremely well-received by the entire audience; at one point, everyone was on their feet!
The three-screen, multi-media opening presentation by Camfel Productions, “Charting Your Course: A Guide to Self-Leadership," utilized popular music and real life situations to encourage students to seize the day and work hard to achieve their goals—and in the process, encourage others to do the same.
Representatives from “Drummers With Attitude,” a group of over sixty middle and high school students from the Bristol Township School District, performed two pieces during the conference. They have performed in numerous community events, including WXPN’s “All About Music” Festival, and the half-time show for the Philadelphia 76’ers organization, Soul, and Flyers games. Advisor Kevin Travers started the group in 2000 as part of a Mentoring program.
Numerous donations by local vendors helped defray some typical expenses, such as breakfast donations by Wegmans, and Doylestown Dunkin’ Donuts, donations by Jones Apparel Group, Eastburn Farm and Commerce Bank. The lunch caterer, Chick-fil-A, provided discounts on breakfast and lunch. Drug Education & Effective Programs (D.E.E.P.) was a tremendous help in sponsoring the opening and closing speakers as well as making an additional contribution towards the youth award gifts.
There were 11 Youth Prevention Volunteer Award recipients, representing Lower, Central and Upper Bucks. Diane Rosati of the Bucks County Drug & Alcohol Commission, Inc. and Judge Nasshorn presented the awards. Two leaders from Drummers With Attitude were among the awardees.
Channel 6 ABC producer, Niki Hawkins-Hunt, spent the morning at Lead On! to acquire footage of the conference and interview the youth award winners. This coverage will be seen as part of a new teen program on Channel 6/ABC, scheduled to air at 7:00 p.m. on April 26, 2008.
Thanks to our sponsors, facilitators and volunteers plus a wonderful group of advisors and students, Lead On! 2008 was quite a success! Much gratitude is extended to all who contributed time, effort and funding to make this event happen and to benefit the youth of Bucks County.
This project is co-sponsored by the Bucks County Community College and supported by the Bucks County Drug and Alcohol Commission, Inc.
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