LAC-O Student Conference Breakouts (2015)
1. What’s Your Direction in Life?
Find out what is your dominant personality compass type (north-south-east-west). Explore how your personality type
reflects your style of leadership, working with others, and what career choices will be a good fit for you.
Presented by Jean Ann Miller, Oakland University
2. Student Voice and a Positive School Culture
All students thrive in a school culture that is positive, supportive and empowered. Student voice is a vital component.
Learn how schools can create a positive school culture where students are empowered decision-makers. Participants
will understand student voice and explore what it means to them. They will hear the story of one school’s journey to
create a social justice project and discuss elements that matter. Lastly, they will problem solve around their own
school’s unique needs. All students can make a difference!
Presented by Mary Perfitt-Nelson, Oakland Schools
3. Success: Tips to building a better YOU
Explore strategies to creating change and building a better you. "The key to human development is building on who
you already are." In this interactive session, students will examine how far they have come and how to maintain
forward momentum by identifying the strengths they possess and how to continue to nurture and incorporate those
strengths into their goal setting.
Presented by Nicole Lucio, Oakland University
4. Digging into Diversity—Action through Inspiration
Farmington Public School High School has been deeply involved in diversity work for over 10 years. This session
will be conducted by three Farmington Public School High School students as an interactive workshop to learn about
diversity, dialogue and taking action. This session is meant to inspire other students to take action and make change
happen. The goal is for participants to learn strategies to engage others in dialogue and action so as to be able to
tackle any issues they see in their communities—ultimately feeling inspired to make a difference.
Adult Facilitator: Ms. Naomi Khalil and Farmington Public School High School students
5. Leading Courageous Conversations:
An interactive exercise will form the core of our time, structured to encourage openness, allow divergent voices, and
various perspectives to be present in the room; with the overarching goal of “seeking first to understand”.
Presented by Robert A. Martin, Utica Schools; Patricia Chunn, Oakland Schools
6. Take the Lead to Prepare for Getting into College:
This session will provide valuable tips on selecting colleges and universities that match your interests and
talents. The facilitators will also discuss how you can increase your chances of being accepted by the institution of
your choice.
Presented by Meghan Nyeste, Oakland University; Ida Turpin Walled Lake Western High School
7. How Leaders Leverage Social Media:
From your first Vine to your latest Snap, your social media also plays an important role in your offline reputation.
Learn how to use social media to build a personal brand that will work to your advantage when applying for college,
internships, and jobs.
Presented by Melinda Booth and Colleen Campbell, Oakland University
8. "What Would You Do", The Bystander Effect:
This session will use video clips from ABC's popular television show "What Would You Do" to set up scenario's for
discussion. Students will ask themselves questions like "how would I handle this situation" and "have I witnessed the
bystander effect before"?
Presented by Sharise Calhoun and Kelly Stumpmier, Oakland University Admissions Advisors
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9. The Power of Words:
We are all one. We claim to be diverse and non-judgmental but our words, at times, speak otherwise. In our session,
we will discuss the origins of words and their power to hurt as well as to heal. We will look at what the media has
spoken and how we as a society have responded. As such, students will leave with an understanding of how
meaningful our words can be.
Presented by Mrs. Cindy Henderson and Berkley High School Students
10. Identities: How they contribute to who we are:
Everyone has a vision for a better world, a world where people stand up to injustice and combat the problems of our
society. However, many people, when caught in a tough situation, don’t know how to effectively respond to promote
social change. The session participants will learn more about themselves and their peers through exploration of their
own personal identities. By dialoguing about the differences between people, participants can better understand
themselves and their integral role in the social justice movement.
Presented by Novi High School Students and Facilitator Ms. Diane Back
11. Troy Social Justice Project:
Fingers Crossed is a theater troupe comprised of Troy Social Justice Project students from Troy High School, Athens
High School, Niles Community High School and the International Academy East. This theater troupe is a means to
communicate and provoke courageous conversations. The members of the troupe are the authors of the skits, all
which reflect real experiences depicting socially unjust situations that happen every day in our schools and lives. The
skits are followed by a troupe member panel which aspires to create dialogue with the audience and engage in
conversations addressing everyday injustices and what steps our youth are seeking to take to create change.
Presented by Troy Social Justice Project
12. Owning Our Successes: Providing Equitable Access for All
Join in highly interactive and engaging conversations with your peers from across the room, across campus, and
across the county. Learn about programs and opportunities at other schools that support students of all sexual
orientations and gender identities (SOGIs). Demonstrate responsible ownership of the successes at your school by
sharing what is working with those who are trying to follow in your footsteps. Come network with those who can
support your efforts to take the next step toward equality. Unite with your allies so that we can work together to
overcome persistent challenges, and so we can all celebrate our achievements in bringing equitable opportunities for
success for persons of all SOGIs.
Presented by Tim Larrabee, Oakland University
13. The Empowerment Zone at Hazel Park High School
Life is tough for teens in the Detroit area and there is a program that gives teens the empowering experience that love
and connection is possible when diversity, truth, and full expression are celebrated. By the end of each session,
students are seeing one another through new eyes – with respect and appreciation for their differences. Students stand
up and speak out about changes they want to make in their school and in the way they treat each another. Offered in
conjunction with AYE (The Association for Youth Empowerment).
Presented by Mrs. Pamela Sparks and Hazel Park High School Students-Bradley Lusting, Brian Johnson, Sondaria
McCaskill
14. Students Offering Support Year Three Update:
This is year three of the Lake Orion High School SOS Program. About 300 students participate each year and this
group helps Lake Orion High School create a culture of awareness and support among the student body. The group is
trained to present to the student body about topics of mental health and suicide prevention. The SOS Group is open to
all students at Lake Orion High School who feel called to make a difference every day. Their session will focus on an
overview of the SOS Program along with the topics presented to LOHS for the 2014-2015 school year.
Presented by Counselor Michele Novak and Lake Orion SOS Team Members
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