Summit inspires success in students

VERNON » More than 120 high school seniors gathered at Madison-Oneida BOCES on Sept. 28 to participate in the second annual S2 Success Summit, a full-day nationwide event designed to identify, inspire and challenge future leaders.

This year’s summit, held live in Colorado and broadcast out to remote locations across the country, was focused around the theme of “Chasing Greatness.” Featured speakers were Tish Norman, Reed Barrett and Kevin Bracey, with Character University founder and Binghamton native Dave Gamache serving as the event host. The speakers shared stories about becoming leaders, staying motivated, and pursuing their goals.

Norman, the first speaker, challenged students to “develop a relent- less determination to succeed.”

“If you’re the smartest person in your group of friends, you need a new circle of friends,” she said.

Before the summit officially opened, MOBOCES hosted some team-building and leadership development activities for participating students. Working in mixed-school groups, students had to brainstorm different leadership qualities and share their ideas with the group. Other group and teambuilding activities were held during the day between speakers.

Participants were from all nine component districts, the New York State School for the Deaf and both the Career and Technical Education and the Alternative and Special Education divisions at MOBOCES.

PHOTO COURTESY MADISON-ONEIDA BOCES More than 120students attended the second annual S2 Success Summit at Madison-Oneida BOCES.