Event Recap:
WLF’s Young Women Ambassadors (YWA) from five local public high schools showcased their presentation skills and creativity to a packed audience of WLF members and supporters, parents, and school officials during YWA’s annual Trophy Competition. This outstanding event was held during Women Leaders Forum’s (WLF) March 11 luncheon at Indian Ridge Country Club in Palm Desert.
WLF Past President Patti Gribow welcomed guests and introduced YWA Co-Chairs Jane Treacy and Patty Nugent. Nugent provided an overview of the very active and expanding YWA program, which this year features public speaking seminars, writing classes, a cooking class, self-defense workshop, and more, “all designed for the girls by the girls.” Nugent also promoted YWA’s new job shadowing program encouraging audience members to engage YWA interns who want to start learning professional trades to enhance their growing leadership skills.
Gribow also introduced well-known public speaker/trainer Jamie Sepulveda-Bailey who served as the Trophy Competition emcee. The contest included five teams of YWA and their friends from Cathedral City High School, Coachella Valley High School, Desert Hot Springs High School, La Quinta High School, and Palm Springs High School.
The teams conducted intensive research and worked with mentors for several months to prepare for the competition, creating PowerPoint presentations, videos, skits, props, and costumes to illustrate their diverse topics. “Go Green” issues included Global Warming (DHS High School), City of Palm Springs Sustainability Program (PS High School), impact of pollution on the desert’s environment and beyond (LQ High School), “Solution to Pollution” Program (CC High School created and has already presented to City of Cathedral City Council), and recycling and reusing clothing (CV High School).
All audience members were asked to vote on the presentations using a sliding scale ranking with criteria consisting of creativity, research, teamwork, and effectiveness of call-to-action in the conclusion. The winning team will be announced at the March 28 “Wall Street Teens” event. Thank you to all who attended this inspirational and educational luncheon, and continue to support our awesome Young Women Ambassadors!
Next year, YWA would like to involve even more local public high schools in the annual Trophy Competition. If you would like to learn more about the YWA program, or volunteer to serve as school mentor, please contact YWA Committee Chair, Jane Treacy, ywa@womenleadersforum.org.
YWA Appear on The Joey English Show
Young Women Ambassadors Claudia Peña from Desert Hot Springs High School and Ali Norblum from La Quinta High School had the opportunity to hone their presentation skills and promote YWA’s Trophy Competition during a March 5 taping of The Joey English Show. The popular radio show airs Saturdays and Sundays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on KNEWS radio AM 970 • 1140 • 1250.
