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?