Can You Hear Our Rising Voices?

Leaders In Life Youth Conference 2012

The 2012 Leaders in Life Youth Conference will be held on Thursday, March 15, 2012 at the Rabobank Arena/Marriott Convention Center

 

The Leaders in Life Youth Conference is a conference planned for youth by youth.

The 2012 Conference will be the 13th Annual event. It is held in Kern County and is open to students in the Central Valley and Southern California Coastal region in High Schools, Junior High Schools, Middle Schools and to 7th and 8th graders in K-8 schools.

The vision of this conference is to bring together young people from various races, economic backgrounds, and academic achievement levels. The conference is supported by a partnership with the California Friday Night Live Partnership and it will provide an opportunity for students to stretch their leadership skills and it is aimed to any students who may need to be inspired and encouraged - such as those who may be struggling academically, with personal issues or home and family issues as well as student leaders.

The conference format includes nationally recognized opening and keynote speakers, interactive break-out sessions targeted to address issues faced by teens and an opportunity to focus on youth advocacy to make sure youth voices are heard in shaping our schools and communities. The conference will also have a resource fair with information booths from colleges, universities, and career planning and youth-serving organizations. At least 75 percent of the students who are selected by their schools to attend this conference will be selected from lower socio-economic backgrounds and from slightly below average to average achievement levels. All of the students should be first-time attendees to allow for larger numbers of students from each school to have had the opportunity at some point during their 7-12th grade years to have experienced a Leaders in Life Youth Conference.

The break-out sessions range from topics such as student leadership and advocacy, teen pregnancy prevention, to drug use, to applying to college. Because the young people of today are faced with many issues, the workshop topics are designed by young people themselves. It is a conference for youth, by youth. Schools are encouraged to send teams of students and staff. Click the 2010 Intent to Participate button on the left to get more details on the conference.

So Can You Hear Our Rising Voices?

For more information, please call Daryl Thiesen at (661) 636-4757 email dathiesen@kern.org or Jeff Coomber at (661) 636-4523 jecoomber@kern.org

  

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2012 Speakers

Craig Scott Sm:

Craig Scott

Keynote Speaker


Craig Scott will give the powerful true story of a girl who knew that kindness and compassion was the key to reaching and impacting adolescents. Craig's sister, Rachel Scott, the 1st victim of the Columbine tragedy had a simple theory that 1 act of kindness could change the world.  Students are bombarded daily with bullying and negativity, and Rachel's Challenge aims to overcome bullying with kindness.  Based on Rachel’s life and writings, this unique approach has been shared with millions of educators and you will be inspired to create an atmosphere of acceptance and awareness, learn to avoid clouded learning environments, and eradicate bullying, teasing and gossiping.


Tim Gabrielson:

Tim Gabrielson

Opening Speaker

The Magic of Comedy!

Comic magician, Tim Gabrielson, has one goal when he steps on stage: Keep It Funny! A native of Minnesota, Tim began performing at a local theme park at age 16. His comedic wit and natural timing combined with magical prowess quickly made him a park favorite and landed him a contract with a local agency. He soon became one of the Midwest’s youngest and fastest rising entertainers. Tim’s business is magic, but for this consummate professional it’s much more than the tricks. “People are always talking about the technicality of magic. You have to be good, but the magic by itself is meaningless. Do you entertain the crowd? Can you grab an audience in the first few minutes and hold their attention? You can be a fabulous magician, but if you can’t entertain the crowd, people aren’t going to come back. I don’t want to be just a good magician. I want to be a great entertainer.”Tim’s “keep it funny” philosophy is apparent throughout his laugh-a-minute- show.