Many Newport Beach students will be taking the lead March 11.
Students from Newport Beach, and all over Orange County, will be participating in the annual Take the Lead conference March 11 at California State University, Fullerton.
The interactive leadership summit gives local students and educators the opportunity to share leadership strategies, enhance teamwork, and develop skills that strengthen volunteerism and civic participation.
There will be many interactive workshops, including Make a Difference 101 and How to Change the World in 15 Days.
“There’s something for every teen who wants to make a difference,” according to the conference’s website.
The keynote speaker will be Amy Purdy, co-founder of Adaptive Action Sports (AAS), is a non-profit organization that advocates action sports for individuals with physical disabilities. The Lummi Island, Wash., based organization helps organize skateboard, snowboard, wakeboard and motocross camps, events and programs for veterans, youth and adults with permanent physical disabilities.
Purdy’s speech will revolve around leadership and civic involvement.
Students will also participate in service projects. Todd Francis, an artist and designer for Element Skateboards, will lead students in a card-making project for the wounded veterans at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Students are also encouraged to bring canned food to benefit Orange County Food Bank and gently used shoes to donate to Soles 4 Souls. Students can also bring unused or unwanted cell phones and phone accessories for Verizon Hopeline.
The conference is presented by Fesitval of Children Foundation and OneOC. It will be held from 7:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at CSUF.
The conference is open to students between ages 9 and 12 from public, private and alternative school settings. Students will receive one hour of service learning credit for attending.
Admission is $20 per student with early registration. Ticket price includes all workshops, main program, lunch and a gift bag. There is no charge for accompanying teachers to attend.
For details about the conference and workshops and to register, visit www.takethelead2011.org or for more information call Tanya Stephens at 714-438-3200.
