Youth conference at W&J to focus on stereotypes
The 22nd annual Youth Conference taking place Thursday at Washington & Jefferson College will focus on smashing stereotypes.
Sponsored by Washington Health System Teen Outreach’s Ambassador for Respect program, the conference will focus on eight issues, including racism, sexism, religious oppression and classism.
About 110 high school students from all of Washington County’s 14 school districts and the alternative school will attend the conference from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Rossin Ballroom at W&J.
It will be conducted via “speed learning,” through which the students will move among learning stations and be tested to measure cognitive growth, said Mary Jo Podgurski, Teen Outreach director.
She said the subject matter is particularly relevant given the recent death of a black man in the custody of Baltimore police and the resulting riots, as well as an “anti-gay day” held by some McGuffey students.
Each year, the outreach program selects a theme for the conference. Last year, students learned to have respect for older adults, Podgurski said.
The conference is co-sponsored by the education department at W&J.
Washington’s Got Talent winners Anthony D’Orazio and Jonathan Florian will perform at noon during lunch.