Sophomores and Juniors Are Invited to Attend This Year’s
Young Women LEAD Illinois
Thursday, March 12, 2026
The YWL conference is for high school sophomores and juniors and focuses on Leadership, Education and Development (LEAD). The conference features interactive keynotes, interactive breakout sessions, community and business leaders, and more. The conference is FREE to all participants. YWL teaches future-ready skills needed to be successful in the workforce and ways to develop confidence and leadership potential. Our steering committee is excited to welcome 250 students to Lincoln Trail College for a day of inspiration, leadership, and future-ready experiences.
Location: Lincoln Trail College
Who: Central Illinois Sophomores and Juniors who currently attend one of the following high schools:
- Casey High School
- Hutsonville High School
- Lawrenceville High School
- Marshall High School
- Martinsville High School
- Newton Community High School
- Oblong High School
- Olney High School
- Palestine High School
- Red Hill High School
- Robinson High School
- Sullivan High School (Indiana)
Registration:
- Registration is available here.
- This flyer provides detailed descriptions of each of the breakout sessions. Each student may select two of the breakout sessions.
- Please contact kimberly@youngwomenlead.com if you have any questions.
- Registration is first-come, first-served and limited. We encourage students to register themselves individually so they may select their breakout session choices.
- Chaperones please register as well. We will use your registration contact information to communicate with you regarding the schedule and student rosters.
- Lunch will be provided and the cost is FREE.
- All attendees must have a Signed Waiver Form to attend the event. No one will be permitted to attend the event without a signed waiver.
Schedule:
8:30 – 8:55 Arrival
9:00 – 9:15 Welcome and Opening Remarks
9:15 – 10:15 Keynote Presentation with Dr. Julia Garcia
10:20 – 11:00 Breakout Session
11:05 – 11:50 Breakout Session / Lunch
11:55 – 12:40 Lunch / Breakout Session
12:45 – 1:25 Breakout Session
1:30 – 1:45 Closing Session
1:45 Dismissal
Breakout Sessions: Each student will select two of the following breakout session topics:
- Beautiful Minds, Dangerous Distractions: Your brain is still under construction—and what you choose now really matters. In this session, you’ll learn how drugs and alcohol can affect your brain and interfere with how it grows, thinks, and makes decisions. You’ll see why saying “no” is actually a smart way to protect your future. Together, you’ll work to build a stronger, healthier, and more powerful brain.
- Clear Communication, Safer Care: A Hands-On Look at Healthcare Teamwork: Hear from healthcare professionals who work together as a team—and learn why every role matters. You’ll discover how strong communication helps teams work better, prevents mistakes, and improves patient care. You’ll see how even small communication gaps can have a big impact, and why speaking up and working together makes all the difference.
- Design Your Life: Vision Boarding, Goals, and Time Hacks for Teen Leaders: What if you could design your future instead of just dreaming about it? You will create a vision board that reflects who you are and who you want to become. Learn simple tools real leaders use—goal setting, habit building, and smart time planning—to turn big dreams into doable steps. Leave with a clear plan, more focus, and the confidence to start moving forward. Your future isn’t something you wait for—it’s something you build.
- Managing Your Organization: Organizational management is a critical piece of operating a business. From the leadership staff to entry level positions, it’s important to have the right people in the right roles. Sarah Weiler discusses how to make those determinations and how they evolve as a business grows.
- Power of Positivity: Do you ever doubt yourself or catch that inner voice saying mean, judgmental or unfairly harsh things? We all have an inner critic – sometimes it pushes us to do better, but when it goes unchecked, that sneaky voice can do more harm than good and really bring us down. In this session we’ll dive into the science of self-talk, learn to recognize and replace negative thinking patterns, and discover practical ways to remind yourself of your strength each day. Let’s quiet that critic and help you step into becoming your own strongest supporter!
- Self Defense: Build confidence, awareness, and personal safety. Learn basic self-defense strategies, how to recognize unsafe situations, and ways to protect yourself using your voice, body, and instincts. Gain skills that help you feel stronger, more aware, and more in control. This session is about trusting yourself, setting boundaries, and knowing you have options.
- Sensational STEM: Get ready to experience STEM in a whole new way! Dive into hands-on activities that use your senses to explore science, technology, engineering, and math. Experiment, problem-solve, and work with others to see how STEM shows up in real life—and how it connects to creativity and innovation. Whether you love STEM or are just curious, this session will challenge you to think differently, try new things, and discover how fun and exciting STEM can be.
- The Ultimate Glow Up: Your Online Edge to Get Noticed by Dream Colleges, Jobs, and Opportunities. Today, your online presence is your first impression, and it can open doors long before you ever walk into a room. Learn how to create a powerful digital footprint that stands out to colleges, employers, scholarship committees, and more. Break down what makes a profile memorable, how to highlight your strengths and passions, and what not to post when opportunities are on the line. Complete a mini “online glow-up audit,” craft a standout bio, and walk away with practical steps you can implement immediately to build confidence and attract real opportunities.
- Tale of Two Companies: Ever wondered what it’s really like to start your own business? In this high-energy session, a trailblazing entrepreneur Penny Shaw takes you behind the scenes of building not one, but TWO companies! Hear the real stories—big wins, epic fails, and everything in between. You’ll discover how creativity, grit, and bold choices can turn ideas into reality. Come ready to ask questions and get inspired. As Penny says, dream it, do it!
- Two Cents: Finance with Tasha: Money doesn’t have to be confusing—or boring. In this interactive session, Tasha breaks down real-life money basics in a way that actually makes sense. Learn how to budget, save, and make smart choices with your money now and in the future. Gain confidence to manage your money and understand why every “two cents” decision can add up to something big.
- Who Am I?: Explore your strengths, values, and what makes you you—no pressure, no right answers. You’ll leave with fresh insights, more confidence, and a clearer sense of how your identity connects to leadership, learning and your future goals.
- Yoga with Rendi: Take a break, breathe, and reset. In this session, Rendi will guide you through simple yoga movements and breathing exercises designed to help you relax, stretch, and refocus. No experience needed—just show up as you are. You’ll leave feeling calmer, more grounded, and re-energized, with tools you can use anytime you need to slow down and take care of yourself.