INDEPENDENT STUDIES
Independent Study Projects
CLEW (Community Leadership Workshop)
Danielle Smith, class of 2002, developed and organized the first Connecticut
Leadership Workshop. Over one hundred and fifty students from the greater
Waterbury area participated in a full day's activities including panel discussions
and break-out sessions. Danielle secured a facility, funding for t-shirts
and snacks, and all speakers. From a mere suggestion at the HOBY state leadership
conference to have a local program, Danielle brought to fruition her ideas
for community leadership. From September until January she worked on every
aspect of this concept. From funding to t-shirts Danielle left nothing to
chance and all at no cost to the participants. The Sheraton donated the facility:
three conference rooms with all the accoutrements. The Crosby culinary arts
program catered the lunch. A grant from the Close Up Foundation provided additional
funding for breakfast and snacks throughout the day. Nia Solutions donated
the t-shirts and Bayer Pharmaceutical donated the printing of the conference
posters and banner. Kennedy High School graphics printed the programs and
all the speakers donated their time and expertise. Needless to say, the conference
was an enormous success. Most impressive was the management and organization
and poise and composure that Danielle demonstrated throughout the day and
throughout the planning of this event.
The following is a list of speakers that presented
that day:
Role of media: Bryce Daniels, reporter for channel 30, Kim Thompsen, reporter
for the Waterbury Republican-American, Thomas McCarley, public relations consultant;
Valuing a diverse society: David Smith, manager of health environment and
safety at Bayer Pharmaceutical, Forest Belval, supervisor of health and physical
education, A. Bates Lyons, Diversity Training, Alice Mitchell, Bristol Central
High School, peer mediation.
Rights of Young People: Sheridan Moore, juvenile court judge, Laureen Sheehan,
director of office of strategic planning for the Department of Children and
Families, Charles Fobbs, Waterbury department of education.
Keynote speaker: principle research scientist, Dr. Xin Ma, Bayer Pharmaceuticals