ABOUT FRIENDS FIRSTOur mission: FRIENDS FIRST educates and mentors teens to make positive life choices and develop healthy relationships. Who we are: FRIENDS FIRST is a nonprofit located in Denver, serving about 30-40 schools each year with our various positive youth development programs. What we do: With an emphasis on future focus, self-awareness and MentorLife, our peer mentoring programs engage, empower and support students by building trust, strengthening leadership skills, gaining confidence and feeling valued.

How does the STARS National Conference (SNC) connect to the FRIENDS FIRST mission and support its programs? Over the past 22 years, FRIENDS FIRST has hosted SNC as a way to engage and educate students to become better mentors and leaders in their communities while experiencing life on a college campus. SNC is an extension and a culmination of our STARS peer mentoring program. The STARS program is FRIENDS FIRST’S peer-to-peer mentoring program which engages, empowers and supports students. STARS assists students in building trust, strengthening leadership skills, gaining confidence and feeling valued.

SNC Goals 1. Equip students with practical leadership skills that accentuate their strengths 2. Make all activities fun and developmentally appropriate 3. Provide opportunities for positive and healthy connections

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The STARS National Conference brings together students from around the country for an immersive four-day event experience filled with fun activities, interactive workshops, personal development opportunities and small-group discussion. All of us at FRIENDS FIRST hope that you have an amazing experience!

TABLE OF CONTENTS Schedule 2-7 Communications 7 Wellness Information 8 Speakers 9-11 Workshop Descriptions 12-15

FOR CONFERENCE NEEDS AND EMERGENCIES CALL:720-593-4762

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WELCOME

Time Activity Location3-5pm Registration Lift Lounge3-5pm Fun Activity Rec Center 5:30-6:30pm Dinner Roaring Fork Dining Hall 7-8:45pm Opening Ceremony: Berger Hall Shaun Boothe - Live Your Legacy

9-9:45pm Family Groups University Center 10-11pm Fun Activity University Center 9:30-11pm Snack Shack 11pm In dorms 11:30pm Lights out

Time Activity Location

7:30-8:15am Breakfast Roaring Fork Dining Hall

#SNC2019 SCHEDULE

SUNDAY, JUNE 23

MONDAY, JUNE 24

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#SNC2019 SCHEDULE

Time Activity Location8:45-10:15am Large Group: Berger Hall The Seven Project

10:25-11:25am Family Groups A/Workshops University Center Workshop 1: It’s Your Life C.A.R.E. About It! UC 307 Workshop 2: Let’s Talk UC 309 Workshop 3: Launch Yourself to Success UC 303A Workshop 4: Outline Your Future- Resume Writing UC 303B

11:35am- Family Groups B/Workshops University Center12:35pm Workshop 1: Building the Future of STARS UC 307 Workshop 2: Let’s Talk UC 309 Workshop 3: Launch Yourself to Success UC 303A Workshop 4: Outline Your Future- Resume Writing UC 303B1-2pm Lunch Roaring Fork Dining Hall

2:30-3:30pm Family Groups A/Workshops University Center Workshop 1: Building the Future of STARS UC 307 Workshop 2: How to Infuse a Caring Climate in Your School UC 309

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#SNC2019 SCHEDULE

Time Activity Location2:30-3:30pm Family Groups A/Workshops University Center Workshop 3: MyGraytions UC 303A Workshop 4: Discovering your Leadership Super Power UC 303B3:40-4:40pm Family Groups B/Workshops University Center Workshop 1: It’s Your Life C.A.R.E. About It! UC 307 Workshop 2: How to Infuse a Caring Climate in Your School UC 309 Workshop 3: MyGraytions UC 303A Workshop 4: Discovering your Leadership Super Power UC 303B5:30-6:30pm Dinner Roaring Fork Dining Hall7-8pm Large Group: The Seven Project Berger Hall8:10-9pm Family Groups University Center9-11pm Fun Activity University Center9:30-11pm Snack Shack11pm In Dorms11:30pm Lights Out

MONDAY, JUNE 24 CONT.

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#SNC2019 SCHEDULE

Time Activity Location7:30-8:15am Breakfast Roaring Fork Dining Hall8:45-10:15am Large Group: Berger Hall Phoenix Jackson: Embracing Stillness in a Time of Broken Distractions

10:25-11:25am Family Groups A/Workshops University Center Workshop 1: Getting Connected During Your Next Schooling Journey UC 307 Workshop 2: Authentic Youth & Adult Partnerships UC 309 Workshop 3: Essential Colors UC 303A Workshop 4: How Real World Report Cards Work UC 303B11:35am- Family Groups B/Workshops University Center12:35pm Workshop 1: Getting Connected During Your Next Schooling Journey UC 307 Workshop 2: Authentic Youth & Adult Partnerships UC 309 Workshop 3: Essential Colors UC 303A Workshop 4: How Real World Report Cards Work UC 303B1-2pm Lunch Roaring Fork Dining Hall2-5pm Free Time Out of State Students: Talk to your program coordinator

TUESDAY, JUNE 25

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#SNC2019 SCHEDULE

Time Activity Location2-5pm Free Time Cont. Colorado Students: Campus Recreation Center/Pool Rec Center Bus: Off Campus Activity5:30-6:30pm Dinner Roaring Fork Dining Hall7-8pm Large Group: Berger Hall Aliyah Cook: Elevate My Voice, Your Voice, Youth Voice8:10-9pm Family Groups University Center9-11pm Fun Activity Alpine Field9:30-11pm Snack Shack11pm In Dorms11:30pm Lights Out

Time Activity Location7:30-8:15am Breakfast Roaring Fork Dining Hall

TUESDAY, JUNE 25 CONT.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26

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#SNC2019 SCHEDULE

Time Activity Location8:45-10:15am Family Groups University Center10:15am-12pm Pack/Clean Room 12-1pm Lunch Roaring Fork Dining Hall1:30-2:45pm Closing Ceremony: Berger Hall Tay Anderson: Young Leaders in Today’s America3-3:30pm Checkout Lift Lounge3:30-4pm Bus

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26 CONT.

DOWNLOAD THE APP!We will be using the REMIND APP for important

conference communications, reminders and changes.

YOU CAN ACCESS THIS INFORMATION BY:TEXTING @SNC2019 TO 81010 OR

DOWNLOAD THE REMIND APP AND USE THE CODE @SNC20197

WEL

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S INFO

This year, we’ve added wellness services to STARS National Conference. Wellness services are not mandatory, and are available on an as-needed basis. We want you to know that should you arrive to a place where some of our leadership development topics stir up an emotional response in you, there are mental health professionals on site to speak with you.The Wellness Office: UC 126Open during large group, family group and workshop times. If you want to talk 1-on-1 with a counselor/mental health professional about anything, this serviceis available to you. The Wellness Break Room: Room UC Berger HallOpen during workshop times only. If you need a break from content-heavy workshops, wellness activities, such as coloring, listening to music, going for a walk, talking, etc. are available as an alternative.

Becky is a licensed professional counselor who specializes in working with low income, first generation, and under served populations. The heart of Becky’s work in the counseling field is rooted in inspiring others to tap into the best version of themselves. She has strong passions in trauma-informed care and believes it is her life purpose to work with adolescents. She has been involved with several nonprofits and in addition to consulting with Friends

First on trauma-informed care, she is the Director of Student Life & Wellness at College Track Denver and has her own private practice in Denver calledKagan Counseling, LLC.

BECKY KAGAN, MA, LPC

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Shaun Boothe is an award-winning hip-hop artist, TEDx speaker, and creator of The Unauthorized Biography Series. The Unauthorized Biography Series is a critically acclaimed musical project that celebrates the world’s greatest cultural icons through biographical rap songs: Repackaging History through Hip-Hop. Each chapter of the series captures the legacy of a positive and influential iconic figure in a documentary-style music video. Icons featured in the series include Bob Marley, Muhammad Ali,

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Barack Obama, Bruce Lee, Oprah Winfrey, Tupac Shakur, James Brown, Malala Yousafzai, and more. In an industry where your live show can make you or break you, Shaun Boothe is renowned for his conceptual and highly interactive performances – many of which have graced the opening stages of concerts for multi-platinum artists, including Nas, Lauryn Hill, Talib Kweli, and Snoop Dogg. Catch him Sunday @ the opening ceremony.

LARGE GROUP PRESENTERS

SHAUN BOOTHE

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LARGE GROUP PRESENTERS

The Seven Project is a high energy, fast paced, and in your face multimediapresentation group that addresses issues youth are dealing with on a day-to-day basis. Youth will experience a loud, crazy, fun, and inspiring message that will challenge them to dream big, make wise choices, and be people of character. Catch them Monday @ large group and

workshops.

Phoenix Jackson is an award-winning business leader, corporate communication strategist, and expert in social entrepreneurship, based in Denver, Colorado. As the founder of Phoenix Affect, her integrated communications and PR firm, Phoenix has assisted corporate, not-for-profit organizations and high-profile media clients including professional athletes, entertainers and politicians with public reputation management and media training for the past 14 years. Phoenix’s calling is to guide individuals and organizations in achieving a powerful public image while making a standout impact on the marketplace. Phoenix recently launched Phoenix Affect News

to offer a portal for entrepreneurs and leaders to gain inspiration, insight and knowledge into their journey as business professionals. Phoenix has been recognized for her intellect and results-driven leadership approach, which has led to many accolades and honors, including the 25 Top Leaders in Denver for Barack Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper Initiative, Women Making History Award, Denver Business Journal’s Making Their Mark, Denver’s 40 Under 40, University of Denver’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award and many more. Catch her Tuesday @ large group and workshops.

THE SEVEN PROJECT

PHOENIX JACKSON

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LARGE GROUP PRESENTERS

Aliyah Cook is a 2019 high school graduate who has attended 11 FRIENDS FIRST STARS National Conferences. Aliyah is a youth advocate who has been elevating her voice since the age of eight, which led to Colorado House Bill 1411-75, aka Aliyah’s Law. Aliyah will attend Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia in the fall to study International Business. Take a journey with Aliyah as she shares the story of how she partnered with adults to elevate her voice and advocate for causes important

to her and that impact all emerging adults. She will share a Spoken Word piece about the challenges she’s faced to help teens authentically share their truth as they navigate the world today. Catch her Tuesday @ evening large group.

Tay Anderson is a proud union educator who has worked in Aurora and Denver Public Schools. Tay also served as a legislative aide in the Colorado House of Representatives. Tay is passionate about making the world a better place than the one he grew up in. He has worked on protecting women’s rights, African American rights, Latinx rights, LGBTQ+ rights, Indigenous rights, Muslim rights, and disabled persons’ rights. He has participated in numerous public demonstrations as well as conversations and

meetings with school district leaders, state leaders, and members of Congress on social justice issues. Catch him Wednesday @ the closing ceremony.

ALIYAH COOK

TAY ANDERSON

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WORKSHOPS

We have a full slate of powerful workshops that willhelp you build important life skills and motivate you to introduce

these great tips into your communities!

In these workshops you will learn about: MentorLife

Future FocusSelf-Awareness

What workshops do I attend, you ask? That’s up to you. You can check outthe workshop descriptions on the following pages and find out which

ones interest you most. But REMEMBER, you must attend one workshop during each of your workshop sessions. Get ready to lead, succeed,

relate, and share as we train to...

LIVE A MENTORLIFE!

FRIENDSFIRSTM E N T O R L I F E

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WORKSHOPS

THE SEVEN PROJECT: It’s Your Life...C.A.R.E. About It! In this workshop, students will be encouraged to take an honest look inside themselves and evaluate where they would rank themselves in four different characteristics: Courage, Attitude, Respect, and Empathy.

SCOTT ANTHONY: Outline Your Future-Resume WritingIn this workshop, youth will learn: the categories to be addressedin a resume, the amount of information that should be included, the difference between an amateur and a professional resume,the importance of a cover letter, and interview tips, includingthe one word to avoid.

RACHEL PROTENTIS & TARYN FUCHS, THE CONFLICT CENTER: Let’s Talk Now, more than ever, it is important to be able to stay in conversation with people, even if the conversations feel tense. This interactive workshop will explore why it’s important

to engage with those you may not see “eye to eye” with and how to have those conversations while still remaining friends.

VANESSA APONTE WILLIAMS, PH.D: Launching Yourself to Success In rocket science, it takes trying, failing, and revisiting assumptions to send humans to space; similarly, it takes a collection of courage, patience, and self-awareness to launch ourselves to success. Come join us for a light-hearted activity led by Dr. V on the life lessons she’s gathered from her work to send

humans to the Moon and how the same concepts apply to achieving success, no matter who you are.

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WORKSHOPS

CHAJAY WISE: Building the Future of STARS In this workshop, students will have an interactive experience with the new STARS 3.0 curriculum. This lesson will create an environment where youth can put their skills to the test and have the opportunity to offer their opinions and feedback. The feedback

given during this session will be used to ensure that the newest version of the STARS curriculum inspires mentors and mentees to trust others, grow in community, and dream big.

SANDY AUSTIN, B.I.O.N.I.C TEAM: How to Infuse a Caring Climate into Your School Why have the suicide rates increased? Come and hear how the B.I.O.N.I.C. Team (Believe It Or Not I Care) - empowered by students on school campuses - prevents students from falling through the cracks by letting them

know peers care during the tough times in life. Learn why over 950 schools across the world have inquired about starting a B.I.O.N.I.C. Team.

MARCEL SMITH: Essential Colors Using a psychology based model, Essential Colors gives participants the tools to solve their “people issues” such as conflict resolution, effective communication, team building, organizational culture, and diversity.

PHOENIX JACKSON: Getting Connected During Your Next Schooling Journey Many youth are dealing with the angst of starting a new journey at their school while also trying to figure out how they fit in. We explore different ideas about fitting in and how they can figure out what they should involve themselves in

to accomplish their current dream. 14

WORKSHOPS

SHANNON HEMPELMAN: How Real World Report Cards Work Learn how to set yourself up for financial success by understanding the ins and outs of credit. Credit impacts a lot more than loans, including access to housing, utilities, and post-graduate education. We’ll cover how building and using credit works, what’s in a credit report, and how credit scores are calculated.

JOEY PACE: Authentic Youth & Adult PartnershipsThis workshop will explore the traits of authentic youth andadult partnerships. Youth will learn how to advocate for authentic partnerships with adults and why adults should see value inthese partnerships. Youth will be given the tools to understand when partnerships are authentic as well as the ability to help

adults support them.

SABRINA WIENHOLTZ: Walking the Talk: Discovering your Leadership Super Power Have you ever wondered what it takes to become a leadership superhero? Together we will answer that question and more in this interactive 60-minute session. Participants should come prepared to engage in a variety of

activities and conversations geared to unlock their unique leadership potential.

KERRIE JOY: MyGraytions MyGraytions is an experience that allows you to see the world in every ambiguous hue. It is a reclamation of you and your process. MyGraytions is also a lesson that teaches you how to reconcile with yourself and your story, to understand that you define your “normal,” and that your perspective is your superpower. Use it.

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