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Youth Summit

The 8th grade Youth Summit delivers the message that there will always be obstacles, in life, but none which cannot be overcome.  When you find your voice, you can use it to achieve your dreams. When you continue your education, you can strengthen your voice and make it more powerful.

Description

The Power of Youth is a groundbreaking, interactive youth empowerment movement. It all begins by illustrating to students that their voice is their power, and that power can help them change their lives, their families, their communities, and our world. The program features three dynamic youth motivational speakers highlighting the importance of education and teaching notes for each speaker.

Objectives

  • Understand their capacity to be change agents
  • Develop a positive self-worth. Identify positive and negative influences in their lives
  • Learn the importance of higher education
  • Set goals and develop a plan to meet those goals
  • Make a long-lasting, positive impact in their lives, their families and/or their communities

Program Agenda

  • Speakers: There are three dynamic, motivational speakers (bios included in teaching notes) and the event runs 1.5 hours.  The speakers are
    • Carlos Ojeda Jr.
    • Natasha Carrizosa
    • Juan Cangas

Carlos Ojeda Jr.

Carlos Ojeda Jr. has been called one of the most dynamic youth empowerment speakers in America today. A former university administrator, professor, and small business development center director, he now focuses his energy on empowering students to succeed by teaching them that their voice is their power. Combining his entrepreneurial spirit with his passion for changing the lives of youth across the country, he started CoolSpeak: The Youth Engagement Company.

Natasha (Natty) Carrizosa:

In 2013, Natasha Carrizosa won the National Poetry Award for multi-cultural poet of the year. She is a poet, writer, and spoken word artist. Her work is deeply rooted in her childhood and life experiences. Raised as the daughter of an African-American mother and Mexican father, her writing reflects the dichotomy of these two rich cultures. Natasha is able to speak about the appreciation and beauty of our diversity that lives within us all.

Juan Cangas

Juan Cangas has spent most of his life pursuing one question, “Why do some people succeed in life while others fail?” Juan had to find his own motivation to succeed as a young Latino teen wrestling with the challenges of life. His drive to overcome barriers and desire to make his mother proud helped him become the first person in his family to attend college. Juan is an authority in youth leadership development, with over 6 years of experience inspiring students from all walks of life.

For questions or additional information about the 8th Grade Youth Summit, please contact Gary Marden at gary.marden@umassd.edu.