Leadership Summit aims to cultivate youth

Designed for and inspired by the young leaders of Churchill County, LEAD Green’s third annual summit will be held Friday and Saturday at Churchill County High School.

With “Being in the Now” as this year’s summit theme, participants will engage in robust leadership development rooted in personal narrative, mindfulness and goal setting.

The summit is an opportunity for high school students from all backgrounds from both CCHS and Oasis Academy to engage with one another as well as leaders that came before them through panels and a keynote speaker. Group activities, workshops, a service project and guided self-reflection will help participants bolster their leadership skills and future goals.

Keynote speaker Paolo Narag is a recent University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School graduate and the recipient of the Kenan-Flagler Excellence in Community Award. After graduating from CCHS in 2014, he has had a number of experiences from interning as an investment analyst in the Philippines to interviewing the past president of Uber in the Dean Dome. Narag is currently living in Boston where he works for Procter & Gamble as an account manager.

“Fallon gave me a strong understanding that family, friends, and community are the foundations of life,” Narag said. “Without them, happiness is impossible. With them, everything is possible.”

In addition to the keynote speaker, community leaders within Churchill County such as elected officials, civic leaders, medical professionals and business owners.

LEAD Green is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and cultivating the leaders of Churchill County through trainings like the summit, a scholarship program and mentoring. CCHS senior Mackenzie Cutler currently serves as both LEAD Green president and CCHS student body president.

“These summits mean a lot to us students.” Cutler said. “I grew personally, was inspired and had a lot of fun during last year’s summit. This weekend is special because our small-town community comes together to support students in their development and personal goals.”