NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
United Way Fox Cities
January 22, 2013
Contact: Sarah Christensen 954-7210
United Way Fox Cities
Teen Symposium to be held February 5, 2013
Teen Symposium 2013 brings together empowered ninth graders and committed adults
in an effort to build better schools and communities through leadership development and
community engagement. The theme is “What Do I Stand For?” and will be held on
February 5th from 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel. Often times
there are misconceptions about leadership being only about student council or the
captain of a team. This event will concentrate on helping students develop their own
leadership skills and styles that they can use in their everyday lives. Students will
complete an individual action plan that they can use to impact their schools and
communities. An emphasis will also be placed on developing 21st Century Skills
including team work, problem solving, critical thinking, and civic engagement.
Over 260 ninth graders from area high schools will participate in activities and hear
speakers that will help build, develop, and reinforce leadership skills. In addition, over 30
upperclassmen from area high schools will serve as small group facilitators. Some of
these students, members of the United Way Fox Cities Youth Board, also served on the
planning committee. The morning will consist of small group activities to help students
better understand themselves as leaders and those who support them in the journey.
Carl Olson will be the keynote speaker in the afternoon for the sixth consecutive year.
His enthusiastic personality combined with his special magic tricks make him a
memorable and motivational speaker for both youth and adults. Adults at the event will
also have a chance to network with their peers to build connections between schools
and community agencies that serve youth.
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During lunch, students will attend a Community Resource Fair that will provide them with
information about agencies that support the needs of the community. Non-profit
agencies will have staff on site to tell the students about ways that they could become
more involved in service.
Participating schools include Appleton East, Appleton North, Appleton West, Fox Valley
Lutheran, Freedom, Hortonville, Kaukauna, Kimberly, Little Chute, Menasha, Neenah,
New London, St. Mary Central, Winneconne, and Xavier.
Teen Symposium is sponsored by United Way Fox Cities and YMCA of the Fox Cities.
Additional help has come from the Volunteer Center of East Central Wisconsin, Youth
Go, and the Teen Symposium Planning Committee.
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