MentorCares Conference 2006
The LeadershipCares Foundation10181 Nightingale Street
Gaithersburg MD 20882
Ron Yudd (301) 540-5791
October 10th, 2006 Hyattsville MD. Student leaders from Northwestern High
School participated in the fourth annual MentorCaresTM Conference at Martin’s
Crosswind in Greenbelt Maryland on Friday October 6h 2006. This annual
conference kicks off the school year for students that are active as mentors
and mentees in the MentorCaresTM leadership development program sponsored by
LeadershipCaresTM.
Forty-five enthusiastic students and their adult coaches (professional adult
volunteers) attended sessions covering mentoring and coaching skills and
segments on "real life" leadership skills for everyday success at school, in
the workplace and in the community. Participants learned to apply caring
leadership skills by participating in role plays and table team exercises.
This year’s opening speaker was Ms. Janice Clements from the U.S. State
Department in Washington D.C. She inspired the students and adults by
sharing her personal story of success and talked about how MentorCaresTM
students could be successful by "filling their tool boxes with the 12 and
12" (12 leadership and 12 life skills).
Other inspiring speakers included Ms. Saran Traore, a MentorCaresTM alumnus
and a sophomore at Towson State University. She spoke about how much she
enjoyed her four years in the program while at Northwestern and encouraged
the students to stay involved and learn from the adults they get to meet and
interact with.
Mr. Kwesi Williams, the youth minister at Emmanual Convenant Church in
Hyattsville Maryland spoke about the concept of vision. He encouraged
students to try and have a vision beyond where they are today and to think
about what they could be doing in the future. He inspired students with
stories of how he grew up and his personal success.
During the day long conference students did exercises and activities
entitled "What Does Success Look Like" and "What Do I Love About Myself",
and worked in teams brainstorming ideas for the annual ThanksgivingCaresTM
basket program and the LiteracyCaresTM awards event. During breakout sessions
upperclassmen worked on mentoring skills while freshman and sophomores
worked on success skills for the school year.
Students enjoyed refreshment breaks and a wonderful seated luncheon served
by the Martin’s Crosswind staff while listening and learning from the
various speakers.
The goal of the MentorCaresTM Northwestern High School partnership is to
provide training to fortify today’s youth with marketable skills to take
into the workplace and to provide a training ground to nurture
self-confidence, personal responsibility and a passion for service to
others.
Prizes were awarded throughout the day. Students won a variety of prizes
including CD players and gift certificates.
The teams of young people performed role-plays and skits demonstrating their
knowledge of leadership skills and techniques. The skits, performed at the
end of the day, were the highlight of the conference. Everyone participated
and had lots of fun.
Ms. Dekebra Arrington, Ms. Sandra Portillo-Rosales and Ms. Kaneisha Hall
were announced as officers for this year’s MentorCaresTM program.
Nelson Delgado received special recognition for his leadership in recruiting
new students to the MentorCaresTM program.
Local Prince Georges Cable Channel 76 filmed segments and conducted
interviews for later broadcast.
MentorCaresTM Student testimonials about the day included:
- "It was really beneficial and inspirational"-Ama Vodi
- "I liked it. I could use the tools I learned today"-Jenifer Vasquez
- "It was a great and unforgettable experience"-Samuel Cabrera
- "It was a great learning experience. I enjoy coming to these conferences"-Jasmine M. Wilson
completion at the end of the conference and made plans to meet as teams over
the coming school year. Students and their adult coaches also had an
opportunity to sign-up to serve as leaders for upcoming special events
focused on literacy and hunger relief.
For more information about LeadershipCaresTM and specific details on how the
MentorCaresT program works visit http://www.leadershipcares.org
