By Stephanie Wallingford • Minot Consolidated School

Five students from Minot Consolidated School joined 400 other youths from around the state at the 20th Annual Peer Leadership Conference on Nov. 6 and 7. The conference took place at Atlantic Oakes by the Sea in Bar Harbor.

The theme, “Maine Youth Making Waves,” was inspired by a quote from a student in the Philippines: “Indeed, I wish to be the drop that creates the ripples of change.”

Students in grades seven through 12 developed leadership skills and learned about adolescence health issues through the workshops, action planning session, networking and resource sharing. Teen leader left the conference to create and expand student-to-student youth-driven programs in their own communities.

Local youths attending were Chelsey Cooper, Stephanie Wallingford, Jennie Dubuc, Paige Piper and Ashley Boss; parents who went are Tasha Cooper, and Sandy Dubuc.

The statewide conference was coordinated by the Maine Youth Action Network in partnership with PROP’S Youth Resiliency Project and the Muskie School of Public Service. The network is funded by the Bureau of Health, Maine Department of Human Services.