Businesses and organizations throughout the area are teaming up to sponsor the fourth Annual 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 100 students who will be enrolled in the tenth or eleventh grade during the 2008-2009 school year. The conference is being organized by Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO), the College of Southern Maryland, Concerned Black Women of Calvert County, St. Mary’s County Recreation, Parks and Community Services, Tucker Management Consultants, the local public school systems, 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 22, through Wednesday, June 25, 2008. Students will participate in activities designed to teach leadership skills, focusing on interpersonal 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. Students must submit applications by January 30, 2008, according to instructions included with the application.
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. If you would like to help sponsor this event, or if you have questions about the student applications, please contact Bernadette Lewis, SMECO’s community and cultural relations director, at 301-274-4340.