Businesses and organizations throughout the area are teaming up to sponsor the third annual Southern Maryland Youth Leadership Conference for students who attend high schools in Calvert, Charles and St. Marys counties. Students from Gwynn Park High School in Prince Georges County are also eligible. This event is free to 100 students who will be enrolled in 10th or 11th grades during the 2007-08 school year.
The conference is being organized by Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO), Business Education Community Alliance, the College of Southern Maryland, Concerned Black Women of Calvert County, Juvenile Justice, Lifestyles, Inc., St. Marys County Recreation, Parks and Community Services, Tri-County Services Bureau, Tucker Management Consultants, the local public school systems, and the local chambers of commerce.
The conference will be held at St. Marys College of Maryland in historic St. Marys City from Sunday, June 17 through Wednesday, June 20, 2007. Students will participate in activities designed to teach leadership skills in the areas of ethics, government and communications. Speakers will present topics to educate students, and evening events will provide entertainment and recreational activities for the students.
Students who are interested in attending the conference should contact the guidance department at their school; applications may also be downloaded and printed from www.somdyouthleadership.com or www.smeco.coop. Completed applications and accompanying materials should be submitted to the students guidance departmentsee counselors for deadline information.
Southern Maryland businesses and organizations are invited to participate in the conference by sponsoring speakers, events, providing chaperone assistance, or providing printing services or other instructional resources for programs. Two levels of sponsorship are available: Congressional with a $250 contribution or Presidential with a $500 contribution.
To help sponsor this event, contact Bernadette Lewis, SMECOs community and cultural relations director, at 301-274-4340 or Public Affairs, 301-274-4448