News and Events
Partner Update: Links2Success Hosting the 2nd Annual Youth Career & Leadership Program
June 10, 2014
Links2Success is gearing up for the 2014 Youth Leadership and Career Conference for DeSoto Middle School students. The conference is for students currently in 7th and 8th grade with a minimum 2.5 GPA and will run from July 7th-12th.
The 2014 Conference is designed to provide exposure to career, confidence, leadership, and interest-building activities to middle school students in DeSoto County. The primary aim of the camp is to introduce students to careers and education that can be obtained upon graduation from DeSoto County High School.
The conference will help students develop a love for learning and set a goal to graduate and pursue post-secondary education opportunities. “I learned so much about careers and I now know that I want to go to college. We had so much fun and I’m happy that I was able to be in the first class,” stated Richelle Stewart, a graduate of the inaugural 2013 class.
Each day, participants will meet at the South Florida State College. Students will then be transported via bus to local organizations, governmental agencies and businesses. Student will get to experience careers in banking, STEM, judicial, government, law enforcement, non-profit, agriculture, and so much more.
Throughout the week, students will work with the DeSoto Arts & Humanities Council to create artwork to commemorate their current career goals and dreams. The conference will end on Saturday, July 12th with an art gallery exhibition and award ceremony at the Turner Center Exhibition Hall.
Students are required to have a minimum GPA of 2.5, no behavior referrals, exhibit leadership qualities and complete an application and essay. The conference is provided at no-cost and is limited to 30 students. The conference is made possible through the generous sponsorship of the following organizations: Peace River Citrus, George W. and Ethel B. Hoefler Fund at The Community Foundation of Sarasota County, The Jerome and Mildred Paddock Foundation, Mosaic, South Florida State College Foundation, Desoto Education Foundation, Drug-Free Desoto Coalition, First State Bank, GEO Care, Hackney & Ames, Suncoast Schools Credit Union, Sun Bulb, Tremron, FPL, Benny Albritton Grove Services, Rotary, The Mason G. Smoak Foundation, School District of DeSoto County and United Way.
For more information or sponsorship opportunities, visit www.links2success.org.
