Monty Tech youth leadership summit extenuates positives

By Owen Boss

FITCHBURG — Local teenagers aren’t often cited for their volunteer efforts in the community. People tend to concentrate on the negatives of youth such as school violence or what they’re doing incorrectly, but for one day, local businesses and community programs focused on the positives. Local students took a day off from their April vacations on Friday to attend the Youth Leadership Summit at Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School. The program awarded youth volunteers in the area and offered students the opportunity to attend informational workshops aimed toward educating them about important health and safety issues. Coordinator of the 9th Annual Summit, Dean Bailey, said that he was encouraged by the number of students willing to participate in the program, and attributed the summit’s consistent success to the hard work provided by numerous volunteers in the community. “This event couldn’t happen without area businesses and community programs donating their time and resources,” said Mr. Bailey, “This is only possible because the community understands the importance of this program, and really comes together to do this. The staff at LUK has done a phenomenal job putting this together for us.” Ken Jones, assistant to Mayor Lisa Wong, spoke at the summit about the true meaning of leadership, and said that it is crucial for local teens to attend events like this one because it helps them make smart life decisions. “Leadership is about the choices you make day to day,” said Mr. Jones, “You’re decisions may be different than the ones your friends are making, but you have to make them for yourself, that’s what being a leader is about.” Mr. Jones also emphasized the importance of having the students find something that they are interested in and then going out and researching it. “Pick something you are passionate about, just pick a topic,” said Mr. Jones, “Then learn more about it, go read books, go meet new people that know something about it. As teenagers, leadership means becoming active and getting involved.” The program honored five area students for their efforts within the community with exemplary leadership awards. The recipients were Vi Doan from St. Bernard’s Central Catholic High School; Josmely Cabrera from Montachusett Regional; Michelle Brosseau from Leominster High School; Leonel Perez and Shirley Perez from Fitchburg High School. In addition to the exemplary leadership awards, three local students were awarded with dedication to community service scholarships. The winners: Kelly Donovan from North Middlesex High School; Brandon Haschig and Joy Harrison both from Leominster High School. oboss@thegardnernews.com

Appeared on Page 1 on 4/26/2008 (Vol. 206 No. 100)