FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 25, 2023
YCL Hosts Annual Youth Empowerment Summit for Teens
Registration Ends Saturday, September 30
YORK, PA – York County high school students have until this Saturday, September 30 to register online for the upcoming York County Libraries Youth Empowerment Summit (YES). The event will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Thursday, October 12 at the Penn State York campus. Students in grades 9 – 12 can sign up for the free summit at yorklibraries.org/yes.
“YES offers high school students the rare opportunity to swap their classroom learning for the day to explore options for life after graduation,” says York County Libraries President Robert F. Lambert. “This year’s combination of presenters will cover everything from education and careers to finances and wellness.” According to Lambert, this year’s summit will also provide teens the chance to virtually meet award-winning author Andrew Aydin. Each YES attendee will receive a copy of “March: Book One” which was co-authored by Aydin and civil rights icon Congressman John Lewis.
Aydin is a #1 New York Times bestselling author, a National Book Award winner, a Robert F. Kennedy Book Award Honoree, a Printz Award winner, a Sibert Medal winner, a Walter Dean Myers Award winner, a three-time Eisner award winner, and the recipient of multiple Coretta Scott King honors. “March” was the first comics work to ever win the National Book Award.
York County Libraries worked with event partners Penn State York and the York County Alliance for Learning to create a day packed with activities and learning opportunities. Breakout sessions will be presented by professionals from WellSpan Health, Fire Life Yoga, Traditions Bank, the Manufacturers’ Association and several others. Of special note, Miss Pennsylvania’s Teen Lizzie Shacklett will deliver a creative writing/literacy session with Penn State York student and two-time author Avery Volz. At 15, Shacklett has already written a book and started a nonprofit organization that puts books in the hands of children.
YES has received statewide accolades from the Youth Services Division of the Pennsylvania Library Association. In 2019, it was awarded the first Humanities in Action Award; a Best Practices Award created in partnership with the Pennsylvania Humanities Council. In addition, it received the coveted David J. Roberts EXCEL Award which recognizes the “best” of the Best Practices award winners.
York County Libraries include 13 libraries that provide the latest in print and electronic information, best sellers, Wi-Fi, story times, book discussions and more. Their librarians are passionate advocates for lifelong learning, providing opportunities and resources for all ages. To learn more about YCL programs, services, and resources, go to yorklibraries.org.
###
MEDIA CONTACT
Deb Sullivan
Community Relations Director
York County Libraries
[email protected]