Our World, Our Future Begins

The first day of the 23rd Annual National Service-Learning Conference and youthrive PeaceJam Leadership Conference started off with a full day of preconference sessions and ended with a rousing celebration welcoming attendees to Minnesota.

The opening plenary began with an energizing performance by the High School for Recording Arts. Many of the speakers acknowledged the challenges of continuing service-learning in the classrooms because of the cuts from government funding to service-learning. Kelita Svoboda Bak, NYLC CEO, stated, "I remain optimistic about the future of the service-learning movement." Despite the lack of federal funding, U.S. Representative Betty McCollum called on attendees to "keep fighting together for what we know is right, service to our communities." She also encouraged all to share the work that is happening in service-learning. "Speak with your members of congress. Invite them to come see the results."

Other highlights of the evening included a press conference by Special Olympics, where they announced that the new Special Olympics Project Unify Ambassador is American Idol season 10 contestant Lauren Alaina. Alaina, who has volunteered for her local Special Olympics events since she was in sixth grade, gave a special performance of songs from her new album. U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood also made a special appearance during the Welcome and Awards Celebration. He presented awards honoring Project Ignition National Leader School students for their effective teen driver safety campaigns. 

Throughout the week, conference participants will have opportunities to hear from other inspiring leaders. Starting Thursday, they will be able to create their own conference experience by choosing from hundreds of workshop offerings. 

To learn more about the conference, visit www.nylc.org/conference.

To learn more about Project Ignition, visit www.nylc.org/Project_Ignition.

Photos: (top) Kelita Svoboda Bak, NYLC CEO, addressed conference attendees during the plenary session; (middle) Project Ignition students watched U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood use a driving simulator; (bottom) Lauren Alaina, who is currently on a national tour, was announced as the new Special Olympics Project Unify Ambassador and performed on the plenary stage.