The Westchester County Office of Drug Prevention and STOP DWI and the Westchester Coalition for Drug and Alcohol Free Youth are sponsoring an all-day Youth Leadership Conference Nov. 11, at Stepinac High School in White Plains. The event will run from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m.
"We know that peer to peer is the best way to get the message out about destructive behaviors," said County Executive Robert P. Astorino. "At this conference, student leaders from throughout the county will leave with the skills to motivate their peers to make healthy choices about staying alcohol and drug free."
Added Vito Pinto, director of the Drug Prevention and STOP DWI Office, "We are hoping that every high school will send representative students to the conference. The students will have a positive and inspiring experience and have fun as well."
About 175 students representing 30 schools throughout Westchester are expected to attend.
The conference is made possible by a grant from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The conference events were planned by the county's Teen Drinking Action Council. Ty Sells, a popular presenter in the county on leadership acceptance and responsibility, and a group of students from Youth to Youth International will facilitate the conference.
The day is dedicated to the memory of Joan Valenstein of Yorktown, a well-known and respected coalition/community leader of Yorktown who was a founding member of Yorktown Alliance for Safe Kids.
Shaun Derik, a nationally acclaimed public speaker, will present "Dreamsong" a concept that uses popular music to illustrate how to use the dreaming process to change one's life for the better.
During the day there will also be various workshops that will teach leadership and drug prevention skills in fun, interactive sessions. Here are some examples:
- Students will create and produce a Public Service Announcement to encourage parents to talk to their teens about alcohol and other drugs.
- A group of student leaders will run a workshop on hosting fun alcohol-free parties.
- A musician will show the students how to write their own music with the anti drug and alcohol message.
- A martial arts instructor will work on healthy drug-free ways to manage stress.
For more information or to obtain a registration form for a high school student who resides in Westchester, e-mail Patty Warble at Student Assistance Services () or call Pat McCarthy Tomassi at the Westchester County Office of Drug Prevention & STOP-DWI , (914) 995-4115.