Young Voices Engaged and Empowered at Local Conference
Third annual Student Leadership Conference brings young leaders to Staples, Minn.
Over 100 high school students from central Minnesota schools attended Sourcewell's Student Leadership Conference on Oct. 23, 2025, at Central Lakes College – Staples campus.
Schools chose their attendees individually based on their potential as leaders, whether in classrooms, sports teams, or extracurricular clubs. The event focused on how young leaders are called to be authentic and informed as they work to improve their communities.
The conference focused on the concept of GiANT — an international program that explores leadership voices, unique strengths, and the settings where each voice can excel. Students stepped up in every session as they identified their leadership skills, in both traditional and unusual settings.
“I’ve never seen students more engaged at this event,” said Crysta Blake, Sourcewell’s Student Academics Coordinator. “Across 10 different schools, everyone was eager to listen and respond to the presenters, including our fantastic keynote speaker Dr. Stephen Morris. Students even stayed late to keep talking with him!”
“Today was great,” said one student from Pine River-Backus. “I’m a freshman and I felt like I was a senior.”
Presenters and topics included:
Dr. Stephen Morris | Keynote: Passing the Torch, from Protest to Promise
Your voice matters: Make it real. In this session, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of your power to shape democracy, learn how to connect history to today’s civic action, and leave with a simple framework for initiating positive change. Take up the mantle and become an authentic, informed voice of reflective patriotism!
Keri Johnson | Discovering Your Leadership Voice
Get to know your voice as a leader and how to use it. In this session, you’ll learn the five leadership voices and how to recognize them, and you’ll build confidence in using your own voice to become a stronger leader. You’ll also identify the voices around you and understand what it’s like for others to be led by you.
Jane Peterson | Find Your Voice. Use It Effectively.
Your voice is essential to your team’s success. In this session, you’ll explore different ways to communicate and listen as a leader. You’ll discover how to lead with integrity, hold your team accountable, and be a servant leader. Discover how your thoughts, words, and actions impact your chance of success.
Hallie Pond | Unlock Your Leadership Potential — Impact Through Service
Uncover your unique strengths, connect your passions to purpose, and make a real difference in your community! In this session, you’ll explore how leadership, resiliency, and service intersect to create meaningful impact — guided by the Japanese concept of Ikigai ("your reason for being"). Gain confidence in your unique ability to lead with service and purpose.
Learn more about local student events at mn.sourcewell.org/education/student-programs