2011 Annual Teen Leadership Conference

Location

The home to the State Capitol, Honolulu on the island of Oahu will be the host city. Oahu, sometimes called “The Gathering Place,” is the third largest island and home to the majority of Hawaii’s diverse ethnic population. Known as the “melting pot of the world,” the contrast between the ancient and the modern, the east and the west, makes discovering Hawaii a memorable experience. Start your Hawaiian adventure by arriving at Honolulu International Airport and smell the fresh plumeria blossoms in the air. Travel the 20-minute ride by taxi or shuttle from the airport to the Ala Moana Hotel, newly redesigned from a multi-million dollar renovation. The hotel is adjacent to Ala Moana Center, the world’s largest open-air shopping mall with 290 merchants and 70 dining options. Honolulu is home to some of Hawaii’s most historic places, Diamond Head and the world famous Waikiki beach. The only official state residence of any royalty in the United States, Iolani Palace, is located in Honolulu and only one of the many state visitor sites. The U.S.S. Arizona and U.S.S. Missouri battleships are located at Pearl Harbor. On the north shore of Oahu, the Polynesian Cultural Center is the state’s biggest attraction, featuring villages of the Polynesian islands and a fabulous show called, “HA—The Breath of Life.” Enjoy shopping at the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet, which boasts of being the largest open air flea market with 700 vendors.

You can do it all or do nothing and just enjoy time in the sun and the warm waters at the beach. For more information, go to http://www.gohawaii.com .

Registration

Attend the four-day conference for only $200, which includes 5 meals (lodging is not included). Attending the outing would cost additional $25. Download the registration forms , the NSSP Student Handbook  and the NSSP Awards Program information . Register early! The deadline is May 15th, 2011.

Agenda

Download the agenda in PDF format

Keynote speakers

Opening Session, Friday, July 15, 2011

“Get a Clue!” – Harriet Turk

For the past 18 years, Harriet Turk has been recognized as one of the top motivational speakers in America. Known as a “down to earth, reachable presenter,” Harriet inspires students, educators and parents to reach their highest potential. Throughout Harriet’s programs, she uses humor, personal stories and patriotic themes to touch hearts, minds and souls. She challenges people and changes their lives. Often described as “that cheerleader woman,” Harriet believes it takes incredible enthusiasm and energy to make it through life. She uses her experience and knowledge as a former probation officer, youth programs coordinator and national traffic safety consultant to deliver her life message to teens.

 General Session 1, Saturday, July 16, 2011

Thomas Barksdale, “It’s All About You”

Thomas Barksdale has been a motivational speaker and youth advocate for over thirteen years. His passion for young people centers upon his experiences growing up “labeled” while watching many of his friends veer off the wrong path. Thomas knew he was different; after enduring periods of extreme peer pressure and the desire to belong, he made several life-changing decisions that influenced his destiny. He strongly believes that people need to be told they can make their lives better, and be shown how to do so. Thomas’ platform is built upon the fact that all people have inherent goodness, and he has mastered the ability to connect with young people that need a positive influence. He is highly regarded as a leader in youth development and believes that people are his greatest asset. His dream is to encourage and empower young people to become people of character. He promotes the message that dreams are possible with hard work and the blessing of others. Thomas believes that the human touch influences human potential. Thomas has appeared on national radio broadcasts, featured in national periodicals expounding on his writings, and is frequently sought after on the middle and high school, college, and corporate speaking circuits.

General Session 3, Saturday, July 16, 2011

“Risque Business” Peer Theatre Troupe

 Risque Business is made up of a group of students from South Panola High School in Batesville, Mississippi. They are a contemporary improv drama team that writes and performs MTV style skits on teen issues such as peer pressure, stress, alcohol and drug related problems, suicide, smoking, smokeless tobacco, teen pregnancy, sexual harassment, and tolerance etc. They perform at numerous state and national conferences as well as many area schools and events using music, dance, and dialogue.

General Session 4, Sunday, July 17, 2011

Bobby Petrocelli, “10 Seconds”

Bobby Petrocelli’s story is one of personal triumph and hope following a devastating tragedy in his life. One night he went to bed in suburban America, a happy man with a loving wife. But when he woke up dazed in his kitchen, his wife was dead and his life forever changed. The pickup truck that crashed through his bedroom wall was driven by a man who was more than twice legally drunk. Bobby often shares how he fought through the darkness to triumph; how he drew upon his faith and friends; and how he came to love again. As a high school teacher and coach, his love for youth inspired him to take his dramatic story to audiences nationwide. He is now a motivational speaker who shares with youth the power of their decisions and how to build a strong foundation for their lives. His coaching background and expertise with youth have made him one of the top communicators in his field.

General Session 5 – Sunday, July 17, 2011

Sheriff Vonzell Ward, DUI Victim, “C.O.O.L.” (“Controlling Our Own Lives”)

“Vonzell was hired by the Maryland State Police in 1974 and served proudly with that agency until he was forced to retire in 1983 because of injuries he received in a collision with a drunk teen driver in 1981. Since leaving the state police he has worked as a high school history teacher and Maryland’s Assistant Secretary of State. In 1994 he was elected to his first of two terms as Sheriff of Calvert County, Maryland. Vonzell started speaking to teens and parents about the dangers of drunk driving from his hospital bed in 1981. In 1992, he received the Outstanding Citizen Advocate Award from the National Commission Against Drunk Driving in Washington, D.C., for his efforts in educating youth about the dangers and consequences of DUI. He has given thousands of presentations at schools, colleges, military bases and the military academies.

ADTSEA Secondary Division Session – Monday, July 18, 2011

Annabel Chotzen – “Making Ice Cream Out of Diversity”

Annabel Chotzen motivates us with her passion and rejuvenates us with her humor. She empowers us to achieve our goals, and then surpass them! Like her Hawaiian homeland, Annabel’s strong, yet gentle spirit is irresistible. Her enthusiasm is contagious. Her smile is radiant. She inspires people to believe in themselves. Annabel has motivated thousands of people to meet their challenges, to rise above their limitations, and to create transformation in their lives. Learn the techniques for making your life experience greater, more significant, and more rewarding now. In a special celebration, each participant receives their own personal Kukui Nut, a gift from Hawaii, to renew their goals, dreams and life vision. The Kukui Nut then becomes a focal point of belief and commitment. Lives are changed and results are achieved.

Steve Verret – “Back to Basics: Driving Safely the Cajun Way”

Steve Verret is a very funny Cajun stand up and improv comedian with over ten years of experience in teaching traffic safety and the laws and safe driving practices which affect us each day on the road. He has performed his very unique and extremely funny safety presentations to over 100,000 people. Steve interacts with his audience by sharing personal life stories, statistics, props, and comedy to keep attendees involved, alert and laughing. His presentation will include drinking and driving, vehicle safety and more.

Presentations

Saturday, July 16, 2011

General Session 1 – “We took a Stand Against Distracted Driving” “JTLYK” - Kahuku High School Peer Educators

When teens get together and educate their peers on what causes distracted driving and the consequences that could happen to the driver and passengers, great things can happen. With custom JTLYK (Just to Let You Know) T-Shirts, lanyards and stickers printed with “BTW: i dnt txt and drive,” their peers at schools liked their campaign efforts. Requests for the stickers and T-Shirts are still being received from other high schools. Their project wont them First Place and a $1000 prize in April 2010 from the Allstate Foundation to continue their campaign for another school year.

“Don’t Act to Distract” – Molokai High School SADD

Kaili Levi, a MHS 2010 graduate, wanted to make a difference with educating the importance of safe passenger behavior while his car was in motion. His goals were to establish beliefs and behaviors among teen drivers and passengers that promote safe driving habits by informing them of the high driving risk and consequences associated with distractive driving. View “The Last Pa`ina,” his video senior project and hear the PSAs that 2011 senior Trevor Connolly made to continue the safe driving education efforts.

“What is STOPS?” – Nathan Little, Minnesota

Students Together Offering Peer Support (STOPS) is a youth-led safety and volunteer group at Faribault High School in Faribault, Minnesota. It is well-known throughout its community for its work in encouraging teens to make healthy choices and service-learning/volunteer activities. STOPS will share what activities it conducts during the school year in schools and the community. “Minute to Win It” games that have a safety message built into the game will be played in this interactive presentation.

General Session 2 – “The Top 5 Driving Risks for Teens” - Teens in the Driver Seat

Do you know what the major teen driving risk factors are? How are teens educating peers on reducing those risks? What activities have worked in Texas to lower the statistics of teen fatalities and injuries on their highways? Meet some members of the Teens in the Driver Seat program and find out how their hard-working efforts are helping to reduce risks of teens on the road.

Caleb Conrady is the vice president of 4-H. Last year, he was the Treasurer of the freshman student council. He is also part of the Community Service Leaders at Windthorst High School. Caleb is in FFA, the high school band, and mentors underclassmen. He has shadowed veterinarians as part of a 500 hour requirement in a 4-H Vet Science program. Last summer, he also assisted a local vet with a vaccination clinic for the community. He has participated in both mission trips and Vacation Bible School at his church. Caleb has two friends who have been involved in an automobile accident and he knows that it is very important to pass on the TDS message. Caleb describes himself as energetic, friendly, confident, smart and zealous.

Cori Hash is the parliamentarian and reporter for the Archer City High School Student Council, she is also a squad leader in the ACHS Wildcat Band. She is the Youth Club President of the Pony of the Americas Club, and this is her second year to be the 4-H Club President. She is active in her church youth group, and has been a part of many community service projects, and is an ACHS PAL. Cori was also a member and co-chair of the 2009-2010 Teens in the Driver Seat (TDS) Teen Advisory Board (TAB). Cori describes herself as being a leader, dependable, caring, trustworthy and outgoing.

Cara Tripodis is a Sophomore at Johns Creek High School. She is an athlete involved in her high schools soccer team. She is also very involved in the schools video production and media group. Cara has also been participating in beauty pageants since she was 9. She took that opportunity to cultivate her speaking skills and meet new friends. Tripodis has competed in several pageants since then and recently been crowned Jr. Teen Miss Georgia Girl.

Fernando is serving his third term as Class President and first term as Crime Stoppers President. He is completing his third year as a member of the Superintendent’s Student Advisory. Fernando assisted the Texas A&M International University TexPrep summer program, has been a volunteer at his school library, is a part of the LULAC Chapter at his school, and has assisted in non-profit organizations such as March of Dimes. He is also a National Honor Society member, founder of his school’s Environmental Club, and volunteer at school parent meetings and projects such as the State’s Operation Lone Star. Fernando has also involved in broadcasting, UIL Journalism, and formerly Informative Speaking, and was a co-editor of my school’s newspaper club. He was a member of the 2009-2010 Teens in the Driver Seat (TDS) Teen Advisory Board (TAB) and describes himself as committed, loyal, compassionate, involved and determined.

Krizia Martinez has been involved with the Teens in the Driver Seat (TDS) program for five years. She first joined TDS as a student participant. She had the opportunity to work with the developmental part of the program as a student and is now a full-time staff member and Regional Representative for the program. She is currently serving on the Legislative and Public Affairs team on the because she enjoys helping to create public service announcements, organizing press conferences, and coordinating with the media. She has helped spread the driving safety message to thousands of teens across the nation--in schools, community service events, and conferences.

Russell Henk is the Senior Research Engineer for the Texas Transportation Institute. He has been a member of TTI’s staff for 23 years and holds a Bachelor and Master of Science Degrees in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University. Russell has been a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Texas for 16 years. He has developed and leads a program called “Teens in the Driver Seat” – a peer-to-peer safety program for young drivers aimed at addressing the #1 killer of teens in the U.S. – car crashes. The program has won numerous national awards, has been deployed in over 350 Texas schools and is now active in the states of California, Connecticut and Georgia.

Sunday July 17, 2011

“Distracted Driving” – Stephanie Howard and Tiffany Ferguson, Washington

Stephanie Howard and Tiffany Ferguson from Shelton High School’s SADD Chapter will feature their distracted driving project that includes a mock car crash caused by a texting driver hitting a pedestrian in a crosswalk and interviews with a county coroner, a texting driver who caused injury to a neighbor, a police officer and students. The project was conducted with funds obtained from a $2,000 grant from State Farm Insurance. Interactive activities will be demonstrated and played with the audience.

Stephanie Howard is 17 and will be a senior at Shelton High School and take all her classes at Olympic College. She has been a SADD club member since the 8th grade. She really enjoys being a part of SADD because it gives her the opportunities to help other people and be involved in her community. Stephanie enjoyed participating in the “Relay for Life” project because it was really to hang out with people from all over our town while raising money for a great cause.

“How Many Beers is a Life Worth? – Alyssa Gregory, Oklahoma

It's midnight and you're heading home from the best party of your high school life. All the important people were there -- and drinking. So what did you do? Drink of course! You didn't want to look like a sissy and it was only three or four drinks. Suddenly you see the flashing blue and red lights following you so you pop in two pennies in your mouth because your best friend said sucking on pennies will fool the breathalizer into registering a low blood alcohol content. The police officer walks up to your car window and asks, "Have you been drinking?"

Alyssa Gregory is a 17 year old junior at Newkirk High with reddish blonde hair and green eyes. Her dream is to graduate from college as a teacher/professor and work overseas at the Army bases teaching the children on the military base. This dream combines almost all her favorite things, which are reading, being with friends, traveling, writing, and photography. Teaching is Alyssa’s passion. She loves helping people understand new concepts and enjoys people who make her laugh. She wants to live and love a life full of of fun and adventure. Alyssa is a third year member of STEPP Up and served as an officer last school year. She is also an active member of the National Honor Society and yearbook. She will attend Patriot's Academy in Texas in 2011 and hopes her experiences and accomplishments gained there will better help her prepare for her future.

“Texting and Driving” – Brady Turner, Oklahoma

There are three main types of distractions: visual, manual and cognitive. It has long been assumed that drunk drivers were the biggest danger on our roadways. However, distracted drivers actually caused more crashes than drunk drivers--4 out of 5 crashes (80%). A study released this summer by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that texting is the most dangerous distraction for drivers. The study showed that people who text while operating a motor vehicle have 23 times a greater risk of being in a crash compared to impaired drivers who have four times a greater risk of being in a crash. Find out more information on this deadly practice at this presentation.

Brady Douglas Turner lives in Newkirk, OK with his mother (Jacquie) and brother (Chase). He has two cats (Garfield and Stormy) and three dogs (golden retrievers Buddy and Abby and bichon Max). He will be a senior at Newkirk High School. While in high school he has been a bleacher creature, a StuCo member, participated in the academic bowl and is an active member in STEPP UP (which he loves). After graduation from high school, his plans are to move to attend Rogues State University in Claremont, OK.

“Project Ignition 101” – Laura Saldivar, Illinois

Learn what the Jacobs Safety Initiative accomplishes in education and awareness activities about distracted driving. With over 50 different project ideas that can be implemented on both a local and national level, students are sure to take back a new idea to their community.

Laura Saldivar is a junior at Jacobs High School in Algonquin, Illinois and serves as a mentor for the NYLC’s Youth Advisory Council, Learn and Serve America’s Youth Speakers Bureau, National Organizations for Youth Safety’s Teen Distracted Driving Prevention Leadership Team, National Student Safety Program, Illinois Teen Safe Driving Coalition, and Illinois Governor’s State Service Learning Board. She is involved with student council, Interact, service- learning, frisbee, track, orchestra, and Project Ignition.

“Analysis of East Hawaii Teen Drivers: What’s the Scoop on Distractions?” - Hilo High School Key Club

The Key Club’s motto is "Caring, Our Way of Life" was the catalyst that drove the members to want to do something about the number or crashes rising among teenagers in East Hawaii—some of which included some of their classmates. In their discussion with others, the members learned that it was not just texting and cell phone use which proved to be distractions among teen drivers. They developed a plan to discover what the different distractions were and to share information to eliminate driver distractions. Learn the results from Teen Driver Distraction Surveys aimed to discover the driving habits of teens that were randomly conducted at 7 public and 2 charter high schools in East Hawaii. Hear the public service announcements that the Hilo Key Club members created to address the issues and concerns they gathered from the survey results, see the lesson plans they developed for driver education and health classes to address the problem, flyers and plans for PTSA and community meetings.

Hilo High Key Club members from left to right are Kian Kurokawa, Paul Gogorik, Jaymie Masuda, Kendra Fujioka and Kathy Oyadamori. The Key Club is a youth service organization sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of East Hawaii. The team is in the process of developing partnerships with other organizations to fund their project.

Brochure

Download the brochure in PDF format

ADTSEA

Established by the National Education Association in 1956, NSSP has proven to be successful to thousands of teen leaders and helped to empower them to make changes in their schools and communities. These thousands of teen leaders have touched millions of lives over the past 53 years. NSSP is student driven and student led. Today NSSP is housed as the youth program of the American Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association (ADTSEA), a non-profit organization. For more information, contact ADTSEA .