REPORT ON SCYLC

More than 13 students from four different school districts came together for the first ever Shawano County Youth Leadership Conference. This first time, history making conference was held on Friday and Saturday, April 2 and 3, 2004, at the Imago Dei Village located in Cloverleaf Lakes, near Clintonville, Wisconsin. The cost for the all-inclusive conference including workshops, lodging, supplies, meals, and activities was $15 per student.

The conference theme selected by the SCYLC committee, "Leadership: Your Golden Ticket", was taken from the movie "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" Many of the conference activities were coordinated around the theme of the conference."The conference was an overall success, despite the number of participants we had." said Kristin Gehm, one of the conference organizers. "The participants we had in attendance had a great time and gained alot of new knowledge on leadership."

The conference was called to order with a display of flags provided by the Shawano American Legion veterans and the Mohican Nation Veterans Color guards. Keynote speakers included Motivational Speaker Andy "Mo" Moscinski on Friday afternoon, who spoke on servant leadership and had many different activities incorporated with his keynote. Saturday morning, the 2003-2004 National UNITY Vice-President Dan Terrio told participants an inspirational story of his battle through peer pressure, addiction and domestic violence and overcoming it all to become a Washington D.C. lobbyist. Terrio stressed dreaming and pursuing goals as his main focus of his presentation .
Several workshops on topics such as goal setting, ice breaking activities, public speaking training, youth entrepreneurship, Job skill training, financial management, diversity relations, and governmental issues were topics included in the conference schedule. "An event like this will grow larger and larger as it goes on," said workshop presenter Amber Swenor. "The SCYLC planning committee put countless hours into this project and its shows, it definetly shows!"

A governmental forum was also planned where participants had the opportunity to ask questions and address concerns the youth may have to key county and city goverment officials. The governmental panel consisted of: City of Shawano Mayor Lorna Marquardt, City of Shawano Alderperson Bob Kurkiewicz, Shawano County Board Chairman Clarence Natske, and Shawano/Menominee County District Attorney Gary Bruno. Also panelists on the governmental forum was Joe Stellato and Matt Beyer, representing the Shawano County 4-H Skate team to update the participants on the proposed skate park in the City of Shawano. "Many issues such as the proposed skateboard park, the youth crime rate and the lack of things to do for youth were some issues brought up during the conference," said Dan Terrio, one of the conference organizers. "It was really interesting to see what these youth had to say about certain issues that are affecting them."
Lodging was provided onsite at the Imago Dei Village. A dance, with music provided by Killer Sounds DJ service, concluded the Friday evening session until 11:00pm."We got alot of positive feedback from the participants," added Terrio. "They can't wait till next year's conference!"

The Shawano County Youth Leadership Conference was planned through the Leadership Shawano County Program, which is affiliated with the Shawano Area Chamber of Commerce, the Cecil and Wittenberg Chambers of Commerce and the UW-Extension office.
Planning committee members include: Dan Terrio,Stockbridge-Munsee Tribe; Kristin Gehm, Wisconsin Film and Bag; Jessica Gast, CoVantage Credit Union; Misty Davids, Stockbridge-Munsee Tribe; Jill Martin, Stockbridge-Munsee Tribe; Brenda Tomow, Stockbridge-Munsee Tribe; Bob Hoffman, Shawano County Sheriffs Department; Brian Lange, Kerber Rose and Associates; and Donna Wiegand, CRI/Genex Cooperative.