Student Leadership Conference
Join us for three days of interactive fun and meaningful collaboration with award-winning artists and experts. Featuring: TIME Top Young Innovator Gitanjali Rao, Poet Laureate Fellow and spoken word artist Joaquin Zihuatanejo, Hip Hop and R&B artist G Precious, and Youth Career Coach Juan Cangas! You will also have a chance to meet with representatives from local colleges and businesses. This conference is FREE for GEAR UP students.
Check out the keynote speaker spotlight below for more information!
Agenda Quick Glance
wednesday, october 4
2 - 4 PM: Arrival + College Fair
4 PM: Check In
5 PM: Opening + Welcome
6:15 PM: Dinner
7:15 PM: Keynote Speaker
8:30 PM: GEAR UP After Dark
thursday, october 5
7:45 AM: Breakfast
9 - 10:30 AM: Workshop 1
10:45 - 12:15 AM: Workshop 2
12:15 PM: Lunch
1:30 PM: Keynote Speaker
4 - 5:30 PM: Workshop 3
6:45 PM: Dinner
7:30 PM: Keynote Speaker, Concert + Dance
friday, october 6
7:45 AM: Breakfast
9 - 10:30 AM: Workshop 4
10:45 - 1 PM: Closing Session
Conference Links:
*Please Note: school staff will need to input all information captured on paper registration via the online registration link once complete.
keynote speaker Spotlight:
Gitanjali Rao
Gitanjali Rao is a freshman at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, but she is also an inventor, an aspiring scientist, author, speaker, and an active promoter of STEM around the world. She has been recognized as America's Top Young Scientist, Forbes “30 Under 30 in Science,” TIME’s “Top Young Innovator,” "TIME Kid of the Year," and was appointed as a UNICEF Youth Advocate in 2021.
Joaquin Zihuatanejo
Born and raised in the barrio of East Dallas, Joaquín strives to capture the duality of the Chicano culture.
Sometimes brutal, but always honest, his work depicts the essence of barrio life, writing about a youth that existed somewhere between the streets of the barrio and the dream wanderings of a boy.
Juan Cangas
With over 6 years of experience inspiring students from all walks of life, Juan Cangas has spent most of his life pursuing one question, “Why do some people succeed in life while others fail?” Juan had to find his own motivation to succeed as a young Latino teen wrestling with the challenges of life. His drive to overcome barriers and desire to make his mother proud helped him become the first person in his family to attend college.
G Precious
G Precious is a Native American woman and upcoming Hip Hop, Pop, R&B Artist. She started creative writing at the young age of 6 and has since continued writing as a means to deal with the dynamics of life - alcoholism, drugs, depression, suicide, and abuse. G Precious has proven that no matter the life you've lived or the struggles you've faced, with determination and positive thoughts nothing can stop you.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Students will observe and participate in experiential leadership activities.
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GEAR UP staff will transport students to and from the conference. GEAR UP staff members are district employees of the school your student attends.
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Students are staying in a hotel and will be assigned a roommate. All students must be in their own hotel rooms between the hours of 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM. Overnight security is on duty during the overnight hours.
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Dress for the program is casual student attire. A conference t-shirt is provided and should be worn on Day 2. Jeans, pants and leggings are appropriate.