The Coos County Youth Summit Planning Committee announce the theme of this year’s Summit is “iDecide” The Summit, to be held on March 17, 2010 from 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at Southwestern will focus on the decisions that youth make every day and how those decisions affect their lives.

Returning to Coos County as the keynoter is motivational speaker Keith Hawkins. Hawkins, a favorite with Coos County youth, has been here twice before and the committee invited him again due to his continuing positive impact on the kids that hear his message. In order for all of Coos County youth to hear that message the planning committee and the Commission on Children and Families have arranged for Keith to speak at schools throughout the county. He will be at Sunset, Marshfield, North Bend High and Middle School on Monday March 15, Coquille, Myrtle Point/Powers on Tuesday March 16, Youth Summit on Wednesday March 17 and Bandon High and Harbor Lights School on Thursday March 18. Parents are invited to attend any of the events.

In addition to the keynote speaker the Youth Summit will feature six breakout sessions including: Media Literacy with Nigel Wrangham, Positive Relationships with Women’s Safety and Resource, Preparing for College with Cap Sharples and Caddy McKeown, What makes a Leader? with Keith Hawkins, Think About This…A&D Safety Issues with Kay Mills and Driving Deadly with Coquille Police Officer Sean Sanborn.

The Summit, an annual event in Coos County. is planned by a youth committee with members representing different parts of the county. This year’s Chair is Audrey Moss-Strong from Bandon. Committee members include from Bandon: Hannah Gibson, Jackie Brown, Marissa Ramos, Karli Crook, and Lauren Remy; from Coquille: Tessa Schwass, Ashlehn Beliveau, Bailey Moody, John Binford, Joelle wheeler and Johnna Wheeler; from Myrtle Point: Kaitlyn Lyon and Lindsey Hammack; from Marshfield: Andrew Davidson and Dana Henson. Adult assistants to the team include Ann Remy, Christy Brance, Margaret Melvin, Genelle Hanken and Judy McMakin. For further information please call the Commission on Children and Families at 541-396-3121 x. 393.