Maine Youth Action Network

24th Annual Peer Leadership Conference: Maine Youth Leading the Way

Friday, November 16th & Saturday, November 17th at Atlantic Oakes By the Sea in Bar Harbor, ME. 
”Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

This year's Conference participants came from all across Maine, and beyond!

Map of 2007 Conference Participants

 

Over 500 youth and adult attendees, volunteers and presenters joined together to build skills, make connections and get inspired to change the world!

THANK YOU! 

There are so many people who made this exciting event successful, and we wanted to say "merci":

  • Event sponsors: US Cellular, the Bingham Foundation (which funded action planning), and People's Regional Opportunity Program (PROP).
  • Event donors: Iron Mountain, Dick's Sporting Goods, Hannaford, New England Outdoor Center, Sheepscot River Pottery, Damariscotta Bank & Trust, Bath Savings Institution, as well as many attending groups who donated baskets for the charity raffle!
  • 2007 keynote presenters: the Youth Leadership Advisory Team (YLAT), and Maine's Legislative Youth Advisory Council (LYAC).
  • The amazing team of event volunteers
  • The inspiring workshop presenters who are at the heart of this event.
  • Atlantic Oakes Staff
  • Bar Harbor Inn Staff
  • Nate Kane, participant map magician
  • Shirley Lake, Proforma Print Systems--MYAN gear guru

2007 Conference Youth Planning Team 

A special thank you to this year's Youth Planning Team (YPT), who all worked tirelessly for months to bring everyone together for this amazing event.

  • Megan Arsenault ~ Rumford, ME
  • Rosie Buckmore ~ Litchfield, ME
  • Kaylee Caruso ~ Brewer, ME
  • Jabon Chubbuck ~ Nobleboro, ME
  • Elisabeth Hartley~ Randolph, ME
  • Sarah Hoff ~ Rumford, ME
  • Laura Murphy ~ Rumford, ME
  • Noah Rush-Mabry ~ Fort Fairfield, ME
  • Chelsea Schoen ~ Portland, ME
  • Briana Shaw ~ Rumford, ME
  • Mikala Thompson ~ Medway, ME
  • Jay Vachon ~ Portland, ME
  • TJ Williams ~ Rumford, ME

 

MYAN YOUTH LEADERSHIP AWARDS

MYAN Youth Leadership Awards recognize young people who are dedicated to creating positive change in their communities and who go above and beyond in their efforts. Each registered group was able to nominate one exceptional student to receive recognition.
  • Hannah Belanger,Upper Kennebec Valley Jr-Sr High School
    For being a distinguished youth leader and working to improve the climate of her school through her work with the Civil Rights Team.
  • Ashley Gallinari, Communities Promoting Health Bridgton, Clean Team
    For her passion for volunteering and community involvement, and for being a strong advocate for the rights of her peers.
  • Kameron LaPlante, Katahdin Area Partnership, Stearns High School
    For being an active member of his town strategy team and a leader amongst his peers.
  • Kasey Leighton, Conners Emerson School
    For his deep commitment to Civil Rights and to improving the lives of people in his community.
  • Krystal Martin, Choose to Be Healthy Partnership, MASK
    For her outstanding leadership skills, her ability to organize and advocate for health programs and events, and her overall commitment to youth-led community health promotion.
  • Kathleen (Katie) McDonough, Choose to Be Healthy Partnership, Wells High School
    For her innovative efforts to reduce teen drinking in the Wells community and for the courage and leadership skills she demonstrated in doing so.
  • Chelsea Schoen, Deering High School, SBHC
    For her strong leadership skills and hard work on behalf of the SBHC Outreach Team.
  • Heather Thomas, Freeport High School, WOWW
    For her enthusiasm, dedication and energy in helping to create the WOWW group at Freeport High School, and to recognize her work as the student representative on the Freeport Wellness Committee.
  • Mikala Thompson, Katahdin Area Partnership Schenk High School, Youth 2 Youth
    For being an enthusiastic, energetic and skilled youth leader in her community, and for always being available to help.
  • Jenna Walsh, Katahdin Area Partnership, Medway Middle School, YAP
    For always being there to lend a helping hand, and sharing her kind heart and great personality with all those she works with.

ACTION PLANNING

Thanks to the generous sponsorship of The Bingham Foundation for an action planning session groups made action plans at the Conference outlining a goal for change, and the steps they will take to make it happen. Groups will work on these plans throughout the school year. If you made an action plan at the conference & would like help getting connected to tools, resources or community connections, contact MYAN!

CONFERENCE MEDIA COVERAGE

  • Susan Farley of WABI attended the conference and produced a great segment, which we will have more information on soon.
  • Did your group have an amazing time at this year's event? Write to your local paper to get coverage about the change your group is going to make in your community!
  • Have you seen an article about the conference? Please let MYAN know & share a copy with us! 
  • Check out all those awesome snaps those sneaky people were taking throughout the event!

2007 CONFERENCE CHARITY 

This year's conference participants raised $687.50, a record amount of money, for the Autism Society of Maine! THANK YOU to everyone who gave so generously for this worthy cause.