Businesses and organizations throughout the area are teaming up to sponsor the second Southern Maryland Youth Leadership Conference for students who attend high schools in Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary's counties. Students from Gwynn Park High School in Prince George's County are also eligible. This event is free to 50 students who will be enrolled in the tenth or eleventh grade during the 2006-2007 school year. The conference is being organized and funded by Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO), the local public school systems, St. Mary's County Recreation, Parks and Community Services, and the local chambers of commerce.
The conference will be held at St. Mary's College of Maryland in historic St. Mary's City, from Sunday, June 18, through Wednesday, June 21, 2006. 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 should be submitted to the student's guidance department; see counselors for deadline information.
Southern Maryland businesses and organizations are invited to participate in the conference by sponsoring speakers, printing materials, and providing giveaways for the students. If you would like to help sponsor this event, please contact Bernadette Lewis at 301-274-4340. Two levels of sponsorship are available: be a Congressional Sponsor with a $250 contribution or a Presidential Sponsor with a $500 contribution.