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10th Annual Mayor's Youth Summit
Make it Happen
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Over 1,200 teens gathered Lansdowne
Street’s Avalon, Axis, Modern and Embassy
nightclubs on March 27th for the 10th Annual Mayor’s
Youth Summit.The theme of this year’s summit was “Make It Happen.” It focused on the ways in
which teens can gain access to people, agencies, and resources available in Boston to make positive
things happen in their own lives and in their communities.
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MCs and MYC representatives Meghan Doherty and Stanley Onouha introduced a full day
of entertainment and educational programming in the main club. The three
smaller clubs housed resource tables where almost a hundred youth organizations
publicized themselves.
The morning started with the national anthem performed by the Wang YMCA Youth Band
and Terri Kelly of South Boston and Shanice
Miller of Jamaica Plain led the MYC in singing "Make it Happen."
Human Service Cabinet Chief and Boston Centers for Youth Families Executive Director,
Juanita Wade, introduced summit attendees to newly appointed Boston Police
Commissioner Kathleen O’Toole.The Mayor’s Youth Council’s skits
emphasized the importance of voting and warned about the dangers of drugs.
W.E.A.T.O.C. focused on violence prevention
and the Murphy Community Center taught about HIV. Boston recording artists “1
Luv” and local talent “Prophecy” got the crowd excited with their singing and
dancing performances.
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Many of the teens won awesome raffle prizes including Celtics tickets, IMAX and
movie passes, basketballs, MYTOWN tours, Red Sox tickets and VIP tours of
Fenway Park. Five special teens were honored for the positive things that they make happen every
day. Sandra Appiah from Hyde Park, Danielle Lacey
from Charlestown, Son-Ca Lam from Dorchester, Jewel Cash from the South End,
and Ezekiel Sanchez from East Boston all received Teen Positive Image Awards
for the work they are each doing in their communities. The awards were
presented by representatives from Youth Summit sponsors, including Verizon;
Fleet Financial Foundation; Mellon Charitable Giving Program/Eugene F. Fay
Trust; BlueCross/BlueShield of Massachusetts.
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Mayor Menino spoke about the success of the event: “In the
ten years that I have been hosting this event, more than 12,000 young people
have given a Saturday to learn about what Boston has to offer them and to
interact with other young people. I am confident that you, as well as the
thousands of young people that have participated over the years in this summit,
are Boston’s next leaders. Take what you learn today, make good, healthy
choices for your future, and don’t be afraid to ask for advice and guidance."
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Watch the 10th Annual Summit Online
PSA
www.cityofboston.gov/cable/video_library.asp?id=24
Part 1 www.cityofboston.gov/cable/video_library.asp?id=338
Part 2 www.cityofboston.gov/cable/video_library.asp?id=339
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