Thirty-five students from Southern Maryland high schools gathered in Solomons recently for the first Southern Maryland Youth Leadership Conference, an initiative to help promote leadership qualities in the area's teens.
Over five days, the students participated in seminars and team-building activities in the areas of ethics, government, and communications. Activities ranged from a mock Teen Court to brainstorming sessions for planning leadership activities in local schools. A panel of career development professionals offered tools to the students to help them improve their communication skills. Guest speakers at the conference included lawmakers, judges, Navy leaders, school system officials, and motivational speakers. Evening events offered entertainment and recreational activities for the students.
The Youth Leadership Conference was organized and funded by Calvert County Chamber of Commerce, Calvert County Department of Juvenile Services, Calvert County Public Schools, Calvert County Sheriff's Department, Charles County Chamber of Commerce, Charles County Public Schools, Charles County Sheriff's Department, Chesapeake Custom Embroidery, Domino's Pizza of Solomons, Holiday Inn Select Solomons/ Isaac's Restaurant, Joan Carol Design and Exhibit Group, Navmar Applied Sciences, Neighborhood Youth Panel of Calvert County, Prince George's County Public Schools, Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative, Southern Maryland WorkSource, St. Mary's County Chamber of Commerce, St. Mary's County Public Schools, St. Mary's County Recreation, Parks and Community Services, St. Mary's County Sheriff's Department, and Teen Court of Charles and St. Mary's Counties. These organizations plan to make the conference an annual event.