Jump Start Youth Conference slated for Oct. 20

The following is a republished press release…to submit a community announcement, email Peter Blanchard at [email protected].

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CORTLAND, N.Y. – The 6th annual Jump Start 10 Youth Conference, open to all 10th graders in Cortland County, will be held on Tuesday, October 20th in SUNY Cortland’s Sperry Building. The event will run from 8:30am until 2pm. Over 450 10th graders from 7 area schools will be brought together to get inspired about their futures and their community.

The event focuses on 10th graders because the 10th grade year is crucial in the lives of young adults, as they will begin making decisions that will affect the rest of their lives – decisions on everything from colleges and careers to drinking and smoking. This is the year that will challenge students to grow, while building important leadership skills and a powerful resume.

This year’s theme is “Finding Your Sweet Spot: Your Talents, Your Passions, Your Place.” Students will attend 5 workshops (from a selection of over 15) presented by community leaders and visit an Opportunities Fair to learn about community resources and opportunities available to them.

The workshop presenters include: Chris Merkley, local musician and creator of Old Boy Records; Mary Dykeman, sex educator with the Jocobus Center; Michelina Gibbons of SUNY Cortland Career Services; Kevin Auyer, welding instructor with BOCES; Abby Thomas, Director of advisement and Transition at SUNY Cortland; Esmé Saccuccimorano, co-creator of “We Are Neon” Magazine; and Mary Colomai, SUNY Cortland student in the GIS Major; Peter Blanchard of the Cortland Voice and Tyrone Heppard of the Cortland Standard. Our sponsors include: Albany International, Catholic Charities of Cortland County, Access to Independence, Cortland Company, SUNY Cortland, The Siegel Foundation, Seven Valleys Health Coalition, Rotary International, Tobacco Free Cortland, Reality Check, Long Island Bagel, J.M McDonald Sports Complex, Fidelis, and Old Boy Records. We have also received in kind donations from over 20 community business and organizations.

The event is organized by some of the community partners who make up CACTC. CACTC is a coalition that aims empower Cortland County youth to make healthy decisions throughout their lives. Our mission is to reduce adolescent alcohol and other drug abuse, teen pregnancy, delinquency, school dropout rates, and teen violence within our community.

The event is also open to homeschooled students. To learn more about the event, visit http://www.cortlandareactc.org/#!jumpstart10/cfou.

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