5TH Annual YOUth LEADership Conference – MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
By David Triana
United for a Good Cause Inc., the “Little Engine that CAN” does it again! In partnership with the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast, this year’s conference was again a great success!
The conference was held on April 21 and 25 students from the region attended.
It included a cadre of energetic local and regional speakers and was kick-started by a wonderful presentation by Jeremiah and Joshua West, the Champions of Change!
Jeremiah and Joshua travel throughout the United States and had just been in both Kenya and Los Angeles in the last three weeks before coming to the Conference as the Keynote Speakers. They stayed for the entire event, spoke to kids throughout the day and along with their family, were instrumental, along with the others in the outstanding cadre, the volunteers and the MOST AWESOME STAFF of the Boys and Girls Club led by Dawn Novy.in the event being successful.
At the end of the event, the kids that attended were able to say what they thought about the Conference. Some of their statements included: “It was an AWESOME activity!”; “I learned that no matter how many obstacles I encounter, I must continue forward with that in which I’m passionate about”, among other comments.
A parent of an attendee remarked “I’m so glad I was able to bring him, this was a great thing for him!”
A huge thanks to all sponsors and supporters for being behind this project and a very special thanks to the VIPs that took time out of their busy schedules to attend including FWB Mayor Rynearson, Florida House Representative Mel Ponder, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson representing Gulf Power, Jimmy Lagle of ZT Motors Toyota, Neko Stubblefield of Eglin Federal Credit Union (she was also a speaker), Amanda Negron of the HSU Family Educational Foundation, and former Okaloosa County Commissioner Dave Parisot, who is also one of the biggest supporters, donors, and volunteers of United for a Good Cause Inc.
Thanks also to Pastor Jonathan Sansom for giving the invocation and for the wonderful things he does for our area’s youth. Lastly, a special thanks to Laila Rocha for the beautiful rendition of our National Anthem!