News Article

Provincial Student Leadership Conference a Success


11/5/2002 12:11:40 PM


Pamela Walsh, President of CNA presented a session on Women in Leadership Roles.


Wade Pinhorn, Coordinating Instructor of the Music Industry and Performance program at CNA gave a workshop on Artists as Entrepreneurs: Managing Your Own Career.

November 5, 2002 – The 13th Annual Provincial Student Leadership Conference took place in Stephenville from October 24-26, with some 400 students and approximately 90 teachers from 71 different schools in Newfoundland and Labrador in attendance.

The conference consisted of workshop sessions, motivational speakers, entertainment, dances, and more, which filled the four-day event and made for a successful conference for all involved, says Vern Lewis, teacher at Stephenville High, and one of the organizers of this year’s conference.

“In total, students had 37 sessions to choose from during the two days devoted to this. They could choose three sessions per day for a total of six sessions,” said Lewis.

Sessions ranged from Respecting Differences/Dealing with Bullies and Surviving Day-To-Day Post-secondary, to Learning, Employment and Community Building and Facilitating for Success.

College of the North Atlantic President Pamela Walsh delivered a session on Women in Leadership Roles. She feels the conference is an ideal opportunity to engage the leaders of tomorrow.

“This conference is significant in the development of the self-confidence and growth of our youth,” she says.

“It allows them the opportunity to access informative workshops and seminars, and provides an ideal environment for interaction and the exchange of ideas with their peers from throughout the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.”

Two motivational/keynote speakers were also guests of the conference – Philly D and Cara Johnston – and entertainment included an appearance from Terry Kelly and a performance by entertainer Neil O’Leary.

Everything came together wonderfully, says Lewis, with a large number of sponsors locally and throughout the province helping to make the conference a success.

“We had a large number of sponsors. College of the North Atlantic sponsored t-shirts and a number of prizes that were given out during the two days.”

“However, their sponsorship did not end there, they also allowed us to use equipment and such that we needed for the conference.”

Lewis extends a huge thank you to all sponsors, and says that the community also played a major role.

“The people of Stephenville and the surrounding school communities have to be commended because they opened up their homes and took billets for the three nights,” he said.

“The conference could never have happened if not for these families.”

Lewis says it really was a community effort, and extends praise for the Stephenville High team and co-organizers for the turnout.

“We all feel that the conference was more than a success,” he says.

“The conference provided a venue for the student leaders of today and tomorrow to share ideas that all students could use to make their school and community a better place.”

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For more information, please contact:

Stephen Lee
Communications Manager
(709) 643-7929

Or

Tanya Alexander
Public Information Officer
(709) 643-7928



Students at the conference were brought to their feet by the performance from Neil O’Leary and his band.