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Photos from the Conference and Fellow's Retreat:

• Yates, Grasmick, Bishop, Ayers (and Sierra)
• Best Buddies display booth
• Tiger Tutors display booth
• All the Fellows
• New Fellows for 2000
• Fellows at the Retreat

Those in attendance were welcomed to the UMBC Field House by the performing arts troupe, Colours, from Parkdale High School in Riverdale, Maryland. The creative strength and talent of these singers and dancers prepared everyone for the excitement to follow. The Master of Ceremonies, Jonquil "J.P." Patterson, a 7th grade student at Baltimore City's Stadium School, opened the plenary session by sharing his service experiences, which include serving as a Safe Schools Steering Committee member and a Youth as Resources board member. J.P. then introduced the first featured speaker, Dr. Nancy S. Grasmick, State Superintendent of Schools. Dr. Grasmick sparked enthusiasm and interest as she challenged Maryland's youth to become positive change agents and take a leadership role to improve our communities. Stephanie Gulbin, a senior at Queen Anne's County High School in Centreville, and future Maryland teacher, spoke of her experiences with Youth RISE and led the presentation of the Service Stars awards. In this ceremony, forty high school students, representing twenty-one school systems, received this prestigious award for demonstrating exemplary service to their communities.

Conference 2000 was filled with fresh energy and features stemming from an unprecedented partnership between the Maryland Student Service Alliance, Maryland State Department of Education, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the Maryland Youth Service Action Committee (MYSAC) of the Governor's Office on Service and Volunteerism, and the YMCA of Central Maryland. The expertise provided by the additional conference partners led to several new opportunities, including an off-site service project. Directed by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the Maryland Youth Service Action Committee, and the YMCA of Central Maryland, 120 conference participants gained first hand experience to share with their communities by mentoring a reading class or conducting stream restoration.

While many participants were at the service projects, others were immersed in workshops or attending the Service Fair. Thirty-seven workshops were offered and facilitated by student leaders, teachers, administrators, community-based organizations, and other service-learning experts. Workshop topics included conducting a schoolyard habitat assessment, addressing conflict-resolution through drama, developing an astronomy-based service-learning project, creating an effective Service-Learning Advisory Board, and learning what service-learning opportunities Maryland' colleges offer. Sixteen service projects were showcased in a Service Fair which included Tiger Tutors, Feeding 10,000 People for Thanksgiving, Oral Historics: The History of Allegany County Movie Theatres, and Special Education Personal Management.

Patapsco Middle School Jazz Band, from Ellicott City, and Williamsport High School Show Choir, from Williamsport, provided exceptional musical entertainment for the attendees to enjoy during their lunch break. After lunch, attendees participated in one of three Town Meetings, another new feature of the conference. These challenging conversations, facilitated by student leaders, moved the dialogue beyond easy explanations and typical responses. Anisha A. Downs facilitated a discussion on the importance of the "hours out of school" and the negative behaviors resulting from a lack of positive choices and role models. Amber Davis directed an analysis of environmental justice issues as the group addressed the underlying systemic issues that initially cause environmental problems. Mike Romano led a group up the "Ladder of Leadership" in a focus on the importance of youth taking an active and meaningful leadership role to move our state forward and make our communities stronger.

The Conference Team is already busy planning next year's event. Look for additional service projects and the continuation of Town Meetings in the spring of 2001. Watch this site for future updates, such as date, agenda, and request for workshop proposals. We'll see you in the spring 2001 as we celebrate the 10th Annual Service-Learning Conference!

For more information please contact MSSA at 410-767-0358 or email mmilligan@msde.state.md.us. See the UMBC map and directions. We'll see you at Conference 2001!