From Harford County Public Schools:
On Thursday, October 22, 2015, 100 female Harford County Public Schools (HCPS) students in grades 8, 9 and 10 will take part in the Young Women of Promise Conference at Water’s Edge in Belcamp from 9:00 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
The goal of the Young Women of Promise Conference is to help students reach their maximum potential as responsible and respectful citizens and academic scholars by providing the knowledge and skills needed to overcome obstacles today’s youth may face.
“We are excited about offering this leadership opportunity to our young women of promise,” said Laurie Namey, HCPS supervisor of equity and cultural proficiency. “It is our hope that each student will feel empowered to make a difference in their school, community and within themselves as a result of the summit. We all need a mentor, a model, someone who inspires us; it is the wish of the conference planning committee to be those individuals to these students.”
The conference will feature engaging and interactive workshops that support academic, social and emotional growth. Participants will have the opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills in areas such as relationships, character building, finances, leadership, mentoring, overcoming obstacles, goal setting, personal safety and more.
“The community and staff have come together to provide these young women with an opportunity to learn and grow outside of the classroom,” said Superintendent of Schools Barbara P. Canavan. “We are extremely grateful for the efforts made on behalf of our students to make this event a reality.”
The conference, hosted by HCPS, includes volunteer speakers and facilitators who will lead the different sessions. Presenters are community members as well as teachers and administrators from various schools across the county. Students will be served a business-style lunch and will be encouraged to dialogue with peers from other schools across the county.
A similar conference for HCPS young men was hosted last school year, The At-Promise Academy, and was very well-received by participants. This event took place at Harford Community College.
How lovely! It sounds like a unique opportunity for our students in HCPS.
With higher graduation rates and higher rates of entering and graduating from college do girls need to be singled out as if suffering? Where’s the special night for boys?
I missed the last sentence. Apologies.
Great experience and leadership skill-building for the students selected to participate. I hope that each school gives the participating student the opportunity to present the learned information back to their peers in their respective schools.