California high school student leaders wanted for free summer program. Here’s how to apply

Organizers of the Ed100 Academy for Student Leaders summer conference hope to equip California high schoolers with connections, leadership opportunities and the ability to advocate for themselves.

The third annual conference, organized by the statewide educational nonprofit Ed100, will be held online June 20-22 with featured speakers including Gov. Gavin Newsom, Sen. Alex Padilla and Khan Academy founder Sal Khan.

15-year-old Penelope Oliver of Sacramento was one of around 500 California students who participated in the conference last summer.

“I heard about the conference through a friend,” Oliver said. “I really loved the atmosphere because everyone listened to each other and all voices were heard. It was really just a positive environment and it really fostered advocacy.”

Now, Oliver has joined the organization herself as the outreach ambassador for Greater Sacramento, contacting schools across the Sacramento area to encourage students to apply to attend the conference.

At the free conference, which will accept applications until June 15, Ed100 hopes to host students from as many high schools as possible, targeting California’s 2000 public high schools in particular. In addition to speaker events, Oliver said the conference will connect other student leaders and feature other youth organizations that students can become involved with.

“Our goal is to connect students from all over California with leadership opportunities and inspire them to pursue careers or volunteer and engage themselves civically in their community,” Oliver said. “We encourage student leaders to apply so that they can make a big difference in their school and their community. They’re equipped with the necessary leadership opportunities and experience to make a difference and to amplify their voices.”

Ed100 focuses specifically on educating California families on state education policies and offers California high school students monthly online discussions in addition to its annual summer conference.

The nonprofit’s founder, Jeff Camp, said the summer conference provided an opportunity for students to “step up to leadership,” learning both how the education system works and how they can find their place within it to contribute intentionally.

“Education is a huge percentage of everybody’s life,” Camp said. “Lots and lots of people work in it professionally, but there are also a whole lot of people who volunteer in it as parents, and the students as well. The role of students in the system is something that’s always fascinated me.”

In particular, Oliver added that the program is specifically geared towards students who are interested in civic engagement, either through a career in government or in community advocacy.

Although Oliver said most of the students who attend the conference are upperclassmen in high school, she encouraged any students interested to apply.

Camp added that he hoped the conference also reached the attention of California teachers and faculty members who might encourage their students to apply.

“It’s super important for people, especially parent leaders, PTAs or faculty members, to nudge students to say, ‘Hey, you are leadership material, you should go to this conference and learn more,’” Camp said. “It makes all the difference in the world for that nudge to be personal.”

Oliver herself said that she had a formative experience during her time at last year’s conference and through her work with Ed100.

“It is a life changing experience hearing from different speakers, and really, the goal is not just to hear from speakers, but rather to learn valuable life skills and leadership skills,” Oliver said. “My goal, as a student leader, is to inspire other student leaders to attend so that they can learn how to thrive and amplify their voice.”

For more information or to apply for the Ed100 Academy for Student Leaders summer conference, visit ed100.org.

This story was originally published June 9, 2022 at 5:00 AM.