Empowering Teens and Student Athletes to Stand Out, Lead Strong and Stay Healthy
Salem, Ore. — Registration is open for the 16th annual ILEAD Youth Summit, taking place on Saturday, March 1, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Club of Salem — Knudson Branch and Wipper Teen Center. This annual event invites high school-aged youth from Marion, Polk and Linn Counties to come together in the capital city for a day of learning, growth, and fun.
“ILEAD is super useful for those outside of Salem because it helps you connect with our capital city. It’s also nice because you get to meet people from towns all over, who you would’ve never gotten to know without this opportunity,” said Aubree Bylund, an 11th grade student from South Albany High School who joined the Summit’s youth committee after attending last year’s event.
Top 5 Things to Know:
- ILEAD is FREE for all participants.
- Registration runs until February 27 at noon.
- Breakfast snacks, lunch, event t-shirts and swag bags will be provided.
- Participants can choose from a variety of engaging workshops.
- An Opportunity & Resource Fair will be held during the opening session.
This year’s theme “Stand Out; Lead Strong” was selected by the 11-person youth committee to encourage peers to not be afraid or reluctant to stand out as school and community leaders.
“ILEAD has truly helped me become more confident in holding a leadership position and gain really good leadership skills” added Natasha Little Wounded, a senior from Chemawa Indian School who has served on the youth committee for two years. “I think the Summit can be a great experience for many people.”
Youth committee members determined the workshop content based on 2024 post-event survey and student body needs. Teens can choose from workshops focusing on leadership development, personal growth, health and well-being and life readiness. Breakout session topics include determining your leadership style, budgeting and saving, and managing stress during turbulent times.
“It’s been a goal of ours for years now to offer workshops geared towards student athletes, and we are excited to see things come to fruition this March” said ILEAD Youth Summit Coordinator, Laurie Shaw Casarez with the City of Salem.
Amanuel Smith (known as Coach Manny), who serves as President of the nonprofit football organization Oregon Trenches University and West Linn High School D-Line coach, is presenting the workshop ‘Becoming a Champion for Life.” This workshop will include an important discussion on the challenges of sports life, as well as how to cope with life after your time in sports ends.
The Summit also welcomes WFMC Health Licensed Professional Counselor Miguel Gonzalez, a McKay High School graduate and former collegiate athlete, who will focus on mental health concerns for athletes and improving overall well-being, self-esteem and performance.
ILEAD is anchored in positive youth development best practices and evidence-based adolescent substance use prevention strategies. This year’s prevention focus will include a presentation by Western Oregon University’s Public Health Club in coordination with the City of Salem’s Opioid Prevention Program highlighting the dangers of fentanyl pills and how to save a life from an opioid overdose.
For more information about the event and to register, please visit the City of Salem’s ILEAD Youth Summit event page.
