From Feb. 24-26, UTM will host the fifth annual Tennessee Youth Leadership Summit. The three day event, sponsored by the Student Government Association, LEAD Academy and the WestStar Leadership program, is geared to future leaders in area high school students. Students will participate in various leadership-building activities and will be introduced to the collegiate atmosphere.

SGA members will serve as mentors to the students and will lead seminars and small group workshops throughout the weekend. Summit leaders expect more than 120 participants in the program, and this year’s theme will be “Empowerment, Leading for the Future.”

SGA President Dusty Dean hopes the summit will be successful for yet another year. “SGA leaders take a few days out of their schedules to empower area high school students with the leadership skills and confidence needed to become successful leaders throughout high school and continue their leadership experience in college.”

Dean also said the program will help SGA members as well, since they will have the opportunity to hone their own leadership skills. The summit will include guest speakers such as UTM Chancellor Nick Dunagan and UT Student Trustee Lauren Brannon.

The summit will also feature renowned motivational speaker Sean Stephenson, author of the self-help book How YOUth Can Succeed. Stephenson publishes “Elevation Magazine,” and he was commended by former President Bill Clinton for his service to youth.

“Developing leaders and expanding leadership opportunities for Tennessee’s youth and for our students is primary to the mission of UTM,” said Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Katie High. “The youth summit is unique in that it brings together many of our state’s high school leaders who are then mentored by our college leaders at UTM.”

The main goal of the Summit is to “give back to West Tennessee by providing unique insights and experiences which these young leaders can share with their local high schools,” said Tracy Baker, chief executive assistant to SGA.