Twenty-six high school juniors and seniors from throughout Kansas will be participating in the 2010 Kansas Youth Leadership Forum for Students with Disabilities (KSYLF) June 8-12 at Washburn University.

The theme for this year’s forum will be “Use Your Difference to Make a Difference.” Participants will learn life is shaped by a variety of experiences, decisions, and people. They will also learn how to build upon their foundation to create a bright future.

2010 delegates:

Arkansas City: Troy Pike

Belleville: Morgan Strnad

Beloit: Carol Botka

Eudora: Phaleesha Chronister

Franklin: Travis Rider

Great Bend: Ana Dominguez, Ashley Hensler, Yvonne Johnson

Halstead: Hannah Wedel

Haysville: Sara Ehrmann

Lawrence: Alexander Alvarado

Manhattan: Daniel Hawks

Overland Park: Ashley Lujan

Salina: Ashley Lillie

Shawnee: David Thompson

Smith Center: Mackenzie Winder

Stilwell: Josh Edwards

Topeka: Benjamin Berlin, Corey Guliford, Brooke Smith

Wellsville: Emma Joy

Wichita: Kasey Berube, Jeffery Heeter, Corey Shelton, Martin Thompson, Guadalupe Villarreal

KSYLF is an annual conference in its 10th year serving students with disabilities across the state. During the forum, delegates enjoy a week full of learning, fun, friends, and a new sense of empowerment. Through various large and small sessions, delegates are able to learn about and explore various topics related to leadership. The forum is coordinated by the Kansas Youth Empowerment Academy, a youth-driven, non-profit organization that educates, mentors, and supports youth with disabilities in Kansas to be contributing members of their community.

For more information about the Kansas Youth Leadership Forum, contact Carrie Greenwood, program coordinator, at (800) 577-5932 or (785) 633-7255 or visit Kansas Youth Empowerment Academy at www.kyea.org.