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Middle Schoolers LIVE UNITED at Youth Summit Day
Middle schools students from all over Morris County gather for the Youth Empowerment Alliance's Second Annual Youth Summit Day
Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Nearly 100 middle school students from across Morris County gathered at the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship on Wednesday, October 22, 2008 for the second annual Youth Summit Day. Hosted by United Way of Morris County’s Youth Empowerment Alliance (YEA), the daylong Summit gave middle school students the opportunity to participate in teambuilding and problem-solving exercises that develop leadership skills.

Patrick Fennell of Empowerment Solutions kicked off the day in the Fellowship’s meeting room, welcoming students from nine middle schools throughout the County. Andrea Conway, Director of Marketing & Communications at United Way of Morris County, shared with middle schoolers that they each have the power to make a difference in their own lives and that those efforts define what it means to LIVE UNITED. She encouraged them all to wear their new LIVE UNITED t-shirts proudly after the Summit.

Liz Warner, the Youth Empowerment Alliance’s Project Leader, served as the morning’s keynote speaker. She shared the icy tale of her 10-day trek to the North Pole in April 2005, illustrating the power of commitment and trust in oneself to these impressionable young teens.

Liz spent nine months preparing and undergoing intensive physical training to prepare for her unsupported – without the help of sled dogs or air drops – North Pole excursion. For 10 days, Liz and five team members skied across the ever-changing Arctic Ocean towards the North Pole, encountering open water and towering pressure ridges while at the same time overcoming the mental challenges of 24 hours of sunlight, compromising sleeping arrangements, frigid temperatures, and unexpected blizzards. 

With conditions rapidly deteriorating, the team was evacuated just 20 miles from the North Pole.  But with a little help from Russian helicopter pilots, Liz and her teammates were able to touch down at the 90th degree, accomplishing their goal of reaching the North Pole. “This journey is proof that any of us can accomplish any goals we set our minds to,” she told the young teens. “You just have to believe in yourself.”

Following Liz’s powerful presentation, students participated in Awareness and Togetherness activities that motivated them to work together to accomplish a common goal, while making new friends from other middle schools. In the afternoon, students participated in small group discussions to identify the issues they face everyday, including, but not limited to, peer pressure, bullying, and not knowing where to turn for help. The students then brainstormed solutions to these issues. Moving forward, the Youth Empowerment Alliance will work with the schools and students to implement some of these solutions in an effort to help students navigate this increasingly complex world.

“Today’s middle schoolers are facing challenges that many of us did not face until high school and college,” said Liz. “By bringing these students together, we’re able to learn first hand the key issues they deal with everyday and how they feel we can best help them prepare for what lies ahead.”

United Way of Morris County and the Youth Empowerment Alliance gratefully acknowledges all of the individuals, organizations, and schools that made Youth Summit Day a success, including:

• Liz Warner for her passion for the work of YEA and for sharing her inspiring, icy tale
• Patrick Fennell of Empowerment Solutions for supporting and facilitating the event, and for coordinating the morning’s Togetherness activity
• Teresa La Sala for coordinating the morning’s Awareness activity
• Carol Blank and Lorrie Sanchez of Utterly Global, LLC for donating backpacks
• The many volunteers and facilitators who lended their time and talents
• The Morristown Unitarian Fellowship for their support

The participating middle schools: Rockaway Valley School, Boonton Township; Central Middle School, Parsippany; Pequannock Valley Middle School, Pompton Plains; Eisenhower Middle School, Succasunna; Morris Plains Borough School, Morris Plains; Mendham Township Middle School, Brookside; East Hanover Middle School, East Hanover; Morristown-Beard School, Morristown; and Frelinghuysen Middle School, Morristown.

JOIN THE MOVEMENT!
To learn more about Youth Summit Day and the Youth Empowerment Alliance, email Liz Warner or call 973.993.1160, x107.