Students from schools across Lake County attended the 2018 Youth Leadership Summit, presented by Crossroads and Lake County Youth Council, last month. The Lake ADAMHS funded program provided an opportunity for young people to discuss different types of critical issues: substance abuse, mental health and being a positive role model.
The schools that participated in the annual event chose students from grades 8 through 12th to attend the sessions, which took place at Mentor Schools Paradigm.
“This was a youth-led effort and our young people played an integral role in implementation of the summit,” says Katie Gardner, consultation, training and education specialist at Crossroads in Mentor. “We believe when you empower young people and provide them with the skills, they will create change in their community.”
Jen Catanese-Grimes, assistant principal at Madison High School, brought 20 students chosen by their teachers who exemplified leadership qualities — included were Casey Couch, a ninth-grader, and her sister Mallory Couch, a junior.
Casey said she wanted to learn more about how to help other people inside and outside the school environment.
