Registration Deadline is Nov. 12

          SOMERVILLE – Somerset County teens in grades 7 to 12 are invited to attend Somerset County’s 17th annual Youth Conference on Thursday, Nov. 14, from 6 to 9 p.m.  The theme this year is “Many Faces.”  The conference is sponsored by the Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Somerset County Youth Council.

The conference will be held in the first-floor conference room of the Human Services Building, located at 27 Warren St., Somerville, N.J. 08876.  Admission is free, but participants are asked to bring a can of food, which will be donated to the Food Bank Network of Somerset County.  Admission includes refreshments. 

Certificates will be awarded to participants for two hours of community-service learning.  Seating is limited to the first 75 students who register by the Nov. 12 deadline.

Freeholder Director Peter S. Palmer, youth council liaison, will offer remarks.  Keynote speaker Amirah James of New Jersey Orators and the Somerset County Youth Council will talk about the “Many Faces” theme, which explores the styles and skills of leaders.

            “This is the 17th consecutive year that we have been offering this workshop and this year’s program again will provide useful and timely information for our youth,” said Freeholder Palmer.  “The conference is a fun way to meet other youth, learn lifelong skills and discuss relevant topics of interest and concern.

            “This year’s workshops focus around leadership, working with people who have different personality traits, working in teams and overcoming the much dreaded and necessary ability to speak in public,” he said.  “The workshops will benefit participants throughout their school and work careers.”

Two workshops will be offered.  Students can attend one session in each workshop. The choices in Workshop No. 1 are “True Colors/Character Counts-Respect” and “Team Building: Empowering Your Community.” In Workshop No. 2, the choices are “Public Speaking” and “Jobs for Teens and Interviewing.”

            New Jersey Orators is a non-profit organization established over two decades ago for youth 7 to 18 years of age to master language in seven categories of public speaking in preparation for roles of leadership and employment.  

            The conference planning committee consists of youth council members from Academy of Health and Medical Sciences in Bridgewater; Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School; and Bernards, Bridgewater-Raritan, Franklin, Hillsborough, Montgomery, North Plainfield, Ridge, Somerville, Watchung Hills Regional and the Somerset County Vocational and Technical high schools.

            For information about the conference, contact Sarah Murchison of the county Human Services Division at 908-704-6307 or murchis@co.somerset.nj.us or go to http://bit.ly/Hkptj0 for a brochure and registration form.