Statewide Forum Helps High School Students with Disabilities
Reach Their Leadership Potential
Contact:
Mario L. Morrow 517-373-9280
Agency:
Energy, Labor & Economic Growth
June 11, 2009 - The tenth annual Michigan Youth Leadership Forum for high school students with disabilities will be held June 14-18 at Michigan State University, Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth (DELEG) Director Stanley "Skip" Pruss has announced. The forum will culminate with a Leadership Luncheon and Program from 11:30 a.m. -1:30 p.m. at the University Club in East Lansing on Thursday, June 18th.
Twenty-six students from across the state are participating in the five-day leadership development program, which also cultivates citizenship and social skills. The event is for high school juniors and seniors with disabilities who have demonstrated leadership potential in their communities and schools.
Successful adults with disabilities serve as mentors in their roles as small group leaders and the majority of program presenters are people with disabilities.
"The student delegates apply to participate in the Michigan Youth Leadership Forum and are selected by demonstrating leadership skills and potential. The teens will have the opportunity to meet with legislators, government officials, and other mentors to help develop their leadership potential for the future," Pruss said "It's inspiring for these students to find the leader within and I expect that they will go on to be leaders in their communities and perhaps even the state."
The week's activities will include a day at the State Capitol, where they will debate a pre-selected bill, learn about disability rights laws and innovations in technology, and participate in mock employment interviews.
The student participants, representing a wide range of disability characteristics and ethnicities, have been selected through a competitive application process and will attend at no cost to their families.
Dow Chemical Foundation is this year's major corporate sponsor, with sponsorship also from the Accident Fund and Peckham Inc. Other businesses as well as individuals, nonprofit organizations, and state government agencies have also made donations to support the program. For more information, please call 1-877-499-6232.
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