Student leaders develop skills at the Manistique | event News, sports, work

Courtesy photo Approximately 112 students from eight schools recently attended Power UP, a service and leadership conference held recently in Manistique.

MANISTIQUE – About 112 high school students and seniors gathered in Manistique for Monday’s kickoff conference for Power UP students and leaders.

The purpose of the event was to encourage and mentor the next generation of leaders in the community.

Students from Bay de Noc, Engadine, Escanaba, Gladstone, Manistique, Munising, Newberry and Rapid River attended the conference.

“They all brought National Honor Society, Key Club or leadership education students here, and they will learn these great methods and then come back and improve their little corner of the world,” he added. said Manistique Area Schools social studies teacher and 2024 Regional Teacher of the Year Mike Powers.

He said the number of leadership conferences in the region has declined and he wants to bring that back.

“I talked to my administrator at Manistique Area Schools and said this would be a big gap to fill. So they said, ‘Go for it’ Powers explained.

The conference featured a variety of speakers, including three Michigan Teacher of the Year award winners and other award-winning presenters.

Speakers included Dr. Gina Pepin, professor at Northern Michigan University; Mark Burley, state director of HOSA; Christi Ryan, social studies teacher at Manistique Area Schools; Dr. Kristina Hansen, principal of Manistique Area Schools; Kelley Cusamo, Michigan, Teacher of the Year winner; Nanette Hanson, Michigan Teacher of the Year.

The event’s keynote speaker was Ryan Penneau, founder of Penneau Training Group.

Students participated in “information sessions” with speakers, learning about various aspects of leadership, service and working together.

“It’s very interactive.” Powers said.

Powers said one activity involved a group of students working together to build a paper tower. He explained that the first attempt at building the tower limited communication between students before allowing them to work together and discuss next steps.

Each session focused on leadership, communication, service, and time and resource management.

He added that the children really liked this event, and those who want to come want to come here next year.

“He received very good opinions from students” Powers said.

Powers made contacts and organized the event, but he said several students took over planning the conference.

The conference was hosted by Alexis McDade, Bri Tiglas, Bayleigh Buttermore, Cooper Curtis, Clara Cunningham and Ava Kusnier, with McDade leading the pack.

Six students handled presentations, announcements, sweepstakes, registration and more.

“This day is planned and run by students.” Powers said.

The conference was so energetic that Powers and company plan to host another conference in October 2025.

He added that organizing the event was expensive, but the community put in the effort to make it happen.

The conference was sponsored by Savings Agency, Jacks Fresh Market, State Savings Bank, Limestone Federal Credit Union, Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital, Manistique Student Leadership, TEAM Chevrolet Automotive, Guardian Angel Driving Academy, IQ Designs, Superior State Agency, Zephyr Fuel, Nicolet Bank, Graymont, Manistique NHS, Yeti Service Club, Sauce UP Pizza and Carmeuse.

“The sponsors have been fantastic and we couldn’t have done it without them.” Powers said.