Number of Participants: 500
Hours Donated: 5
Value of Time Served: $21,125
Event Type: Children & Youth
Sport: Schools
School: Center Moriches High School
Date: February 26, 2024
Location:
Center Moriches High School
Frowein Road, Center Moriches
NY
About:
Section XI Nick DeCillis “Speak Up For Change” student-athlete conference took place at Center Moriches HS.
More than 500 student-athletes from 60-plus high schools participated in the program.
“The student-athlete conference was an opportunity for student-athlete leaders from schools across Suffolk County to collaborate with each other on the student-athlete experience,” said Jeremy Thode, the Center Moriches athletic director who organized the conference. “Presentations were given by various professionals on topics such as leadership, sportsmanship, social media, psychology of sport, and mental wellness. We had a handful of short educational and/or motivational presentations, some interactive activities, and, most importantly, collaboration among our students on topics impacting their lives.”
The conference ran from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Students worked in groups on topics that included leadership, sportsmanship, mental health, stressors, pride development, social media, resources, and student-athlete supports.
“We had an impressive panel of current collegiate athletes who prepared to do a Q & A session,” Mr. Thode said. “There was a possibility of a major news network covering the event as well.”
Student participants were asked to wear any type of school attire; preferably shirts/sweatshirts. “We wanted to try to honor and highlight the school districts,” Mr. Thode said.