FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: SADD YOUTH LEADERS COME TOGETHER TO TACKLE CRITICAL ISSUES FACING TEENS Phoenix, Arizona –Over four days next week, hundreds of students from 27 states will have the opportunity to share, learn, and grow at the 2008 SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) National Conference. SADD students are committed to making teen lives safer, and they will be challenged and inspired during the numerous workshops and other events. The conference is held in a different city each year to afford young people a new cultural experience, and this year’s conference is June 22-25 at the Wigwam Golf Resort in Phoenix. The conference theme, “Passion, Power, Identity – Soaring to New Heights,” was chosen by the SADD National Student Leadership Council, which assists in the conference planning and implementation. “We have an enthusiastic and accomplished group of teens joining us at this year’s conference,” said Sasha Willingham of Russellville, Alabama, the 2007-2008 SADD National Student of the Year. “Students will have the opportunity to develop leadership skills, share ideas, and learn new prevention strategies that can be put into action back home in their schools and communities.” Conference participants will attend motivational presentations, seminars, and activities aimed at exchanging new approaches and gathering ideas that they can share with their communities and develop into events for their local SADD chapters. Keynote speakers include Calvin Terrell, who speaks about valuing diversity and unity building in schools throughout the United States, and John Kevin Hines, who shares his story of strength and compassion as he discusses bipolar disorder, depression, suicide, and survival. The conference will also include more than 40 workshops aimed at providing students and advisors with information about serious topics, such as underage drinking, teen violence and suicide, driving safety, diversity, and bullying. Conference sponsors include Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, 1 2 1 Direct Response, DCH Auto Group, Safeway, Guideline, Arizona Department of Public Safety, and Begam, Lewis & Marks. “We could not be more excited about the group of students joining us this year,” said Penny Wells, SADD president and executive director. “These student leaders understand better than anyone the increasing challenges facing today’s teens. They are committed to improving the lives of their peers and to giving back to the community while in Phoenix.” Highlights of the conference include these:
For more than 27 years, SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) has been committed to empowering young people to lead education and prevention initiatives in their schools and communities. Founded as Students Against Driving Drunk in 1981, SADD has become the nation’s preeminent peer-to-peer youth education, prevention, and activism organization, with nearly 10,000 chapters in middle schools, high schools, and colleges nationwide. SADD now highlights prevention of many destructive behaviors that are harmful to young people, including underage drinking, substance abuse, risky and impaired driving, and teen violence and suicide. For more information about SADD, visit sadd.org. For more information about the 2008 SADD National Conference, contact Communications Coordinator Stacey Hart at 508-481-3568 or shart@sadd.org. ###
|
