Press Releases:

MYCP Receives $2500 State Farm Grant to Attend 18th Annual Service Learning Conference

MARATHON (417 words) – While most teens booking a trip to New Mexico this week have Spring break on their brain, Katie Greenman who is a junior at Marathon High School has one thing on her mind, “How can I better use service learning to benefit my community?” Greenman was selected as the Monroe County student leader to attend the 18th Annual National Service-Learning Conference held in Albuquerque New Mexico, March 28-31. Thanks to a $2,500 State Farm grant awarded to Monroe Youth Challenge Program (MYCP), she and MYCP Director Sunny Booker who was also selected for the grant spent their Spring break with nearly 3,000 participants from all 50 states and 12 other countries at the conference.

“Greenman was the perfect choice to be one of 900 other youth leaders at this conference because of her remarkable understanding of global issues. Her Red Cross leadership brings awareness of how to prepare and recover from natural disasters. This type of service ties in perfectly with why State Farm has combined efforts with service learning,” said Booker.

According to officials, the conference focuses on service-learning as a way of teaching and learning that builds academic skills and citizenship while addressing community needs in a genuine way. “This work is how to engage students in learning with greater success than traditional instruction or where we may not have been successful otherwise. It certainly ties in with our motto ‘Student Success: Whatever it Takes,’” said Monroe County Superintendent Randy Acevedo. The 18th Annual National Service-Learning Conference® is a program of National Youth Leadership Council, hosted by the New Mexico Commission for Community Volunteerism, and sponsored by the State Farm Companies Foundation in partnership with Youth Service America.

Originating in Minnesota in 1989, The National Service-Learning Conference is the largest gathering of youths and adults involved in the service-learning movement. The conference connects participants with service-learning leaders through three days of plenary sessions, featured forums, and service projects. It also provides access to new ideas and networking opportunities, with more than 200 workshops.

Greenman said, “The youth track has been amazing. The students at this conference, both at the university and high school level, are inspiring and reaffirm that I want to continue Be The Change."

Monroe Youth Challenge Program is a project of the Monroe County Education Foundation to foster acceptance, respect, and success in the youth of Monroe County. For more information about this project or any other MYCP-sponsored program call MYCP Director Sunny Booker at (305) 293-1400 ext. 53319 or visit www.monroe.k12.fl.us/mycp.