Light of Chance, a nonprofit organization founded to serve youth and the community through innovative arts and wellness programs, hosted its annual ‘Teen Summit’ this week.
Nearly 110 students from Madisonville-North Hopkins High School and Hopkins County Central High School attended the summit Friday at Madisonville Community College.
It’s an interactive event,’ Light of Chance Founder Eric Logan said. ‘We’re talking about topics that young people deal with every single day. We’re covering short- and long-term goals and how to reach those.
We’re talking about being a brand,’ he continued. ‘You’re representing yourself, whether you know it or not. We’re trying to teach these students to be mindful of those brands, especially how they portray themselves on social media.
Students learned about being ‘everyday leaders’ at the summit, Logan said.
We want to encourage them to be leaders in their community and leaders in their schools,’ he said. ‘We are trying to help them identify the leadership qualities that they have within themselves.
Students had the opportunity to speak with MCC and Murray State University representatives to learn more about being college- and career- ready, Logan said.
One of the things we talked about was ‘lollipop moments,’ ‘ he said. ‘Lollipop moments are the things that may seem small to you, but really affect others.
Have you ever had a conversation with someone years later, and they remember a moment or something you said to them?’ he continued. ‘That made a difference in someone’s life. We’re encouraging them to let people know that they created those moments.
Kristy Martin, a community liaison at MNHHS, said this was her first time participating in the Light of Chance Teen Summit.
I have seen a lot of interacting,’ she said. ‘The students talked about people who had influenced them or times that they had influenced somebody else. They were really interested and they were clapping for each other. It was an eye-opener for some of them.
HCCHS student Zakeia Casey, 16, said recognizing people in her life she is thankful for was her favorite part of the summit.
I’m most thankful for my grandmother, because she’s like my mom,’ Casey said. ‘She takes care of me.
MNHHS student Alyssa Hardy, 15, said she learned a lot about setting goals for herself and appreciating others.
We learned about being thankful,’ she said, ‘even for the littlest things people do for you.
Mautresidy Fry, 16, a Central student, said her goal is to focus more in school and motivate herself.
I want to graduate with a bachelors in nursing,’ HCCHS student Rickara Hughes, 15, said.
MNHHS student Shyna Wallace, 15, shared similar sentiments.
I like setting goals for myself to accomplish,’ she said. ‘I want to finish college with a Master’s degree in the medical field.
The students had fun and learned something too, Logan said.
It takes them a little bit of time to warm up,’ he said. ‘We try to get them to break down and relax. They get to let their hair down, really express themselves and have an open dialogue. It’s a judgment-free zone.
Jessica Dockrey
Messenger Lead Reporter
jdockrey@the-messenger.com