By Kristen Strauss, Manager of Youth Programs & Education Initiatives
On October 2nd, United Way of Northern Arizona (UWNA) will host its first-ever Youth Leadership Conference. The new initiative is designed to foster Youth Opportunity and inspire, equip, and empower high school students with the tools they need to thrive as future leaders in their communities.
Held at Northern Arizona University’s Dubois Center, this half-day conference will bring together a diverse group of 9th grade students from high schools across northern Arizona, including: Flagstaff Unified Schools, Page and Manson-Mesa, Tuba City, Grand Canyon, Fredonia Senior, Williams, Holbrook, Joseph City, Winslow, and Blue Ridge.
Each participating school will nominate a small group of students (about 5 per campus) to attend this impactful day of learning, collaboration, and growth.
Empowering Our Youth Through 4 Focused Tracks
Throughout the day, students will rotate through four workshops, each designed to strengthen an important facet of being a youth leader:
- Leadership Skills Development – Topics include conflict resolution, effective communication, and what it truly means to be a leader.
- Education and Career Readiness – This session will include a career interest survey, guidance on applying for scholarships, an introduction to FAFSA (the free application for federal student aid), and basic financial literacy tools.
- Mental Health and Wellness- Students will explore concepts like self-esteem, resilience, adaptability, work/life balance, and developing a healthy lifestyle.
- Belonging and Inclusion – With a focus on relationships, empathy, and understanding different perspectives, this workshop supports students in creating inclusive communities.
Why This Matters
This Youth Leadership Conference is an exciting new facet of UWNA’s mission to Step Up for Youth. By giving students space to learn, grow, and connect with others, the conference is designed to set the stage for stronger academic performance, deeper community involvement, and long-term success in school and life.
Stay tuned for more updates as we finalize the event’s details. We’re proud to invest in the next generation of leaders – and we can’t wait to see what they’ll do.
