2017-18 Step Up Youth Challenge Kicks Off
The 2017-18 Step Up Youth Challenge program is officially off and running. On October 4th, 500 middle school and high school students from throughout Tulare County participated in the annual Youth Summit event at the International Agri-Center in Tulare.
This event serves as the season opener for the Step Up Youth Challenge. Teams from each school, made up of 10 students and their advisors, participated in a series of breakout sessions which covered topics ranging from leadership skills to designing a community service project.
With the help of our many great partners, including Tulare County Office of Education, Tulare County Board of Supervisors, CSET, Health and Human Services Agency, and Visalia Unified School District; the day was both inspiring and fun for the students.
Tulare County District Three Supervisor Amy Shuklian participated as the master of ceremonies for the day inspiring the audience to not only find ways to get involved in their community, but to also realize that it can be fun and rewarding to give back.
Frank Escobar of the Visalia Unified School District was the keynote speaker for the day. He encouraged students to realize that even if they don’t feel like a leader, they are already in a position to set positive examples for their peers. Frank emphasized the importance of setting goals, to dream big, and give back to our schools and community.
The Step Up Youth Challenge is a yearlong project-based learning program for Tulare County students. Each year, Step Up challenges these students to look at their community and think of ways that they can make it better. Each school creates a community service project and at the end of the school year, the schools compete against each other for grants to be used to continue and expand their project. The grants are awarded at a red carpet event in May.
We look forward to seeing all the different ways these students get involved in their communities and work in making them a better place to live. Stay tuned for more information on who wins the Step Up Youth Challenge Awards in May.
For more information on the Step Up Youth Challenge, please contact Samantha Ferrero at sferrero@co.tulare.ca.us.