About the day
The summit brings nearly 100 students from all over Bartholomew County to the Columbus Learning Center for a day of learning, leading, and growing.
This is an all day student leadership conference featuring a keynote speaker, breakout sessions, and community partner tables.
Check out the promo video below!
FIND YOUR FUTURE: What’s Next?
Applications have closed.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Olener “O” Bennett, MSEd. | Founder/CEO of Coach O, LLC/Coach O Transforms
Olener “O” Bennett, MSEd. is the Founder/CEO of Coach O, LLC/Coach O Transforms, a conscious-driven coaching and consulting business, in which she empowers her clients to achieve their financial goals. She was featured in in the 2023 Women to Watch Publication and recognized as one of the Next Generation of Minority Leaders in Bartholomew Co.
In addition to her community recognitions, O. Bennett has spent the last 13 years working in higher education, with her more recent ties to our local community college. For 8 1/2 years, O established the Commit to Finish (CTF) program, which focused on mentoring, campus and community involvement, short-term incentives, and supported several student populations through their post-secondary journey.
Keynote Title:
In a World of "And"
THE SEMINARS
Students have the opportunity to rotate through three sessions facilitated by local experts and supported by a Youth Ambassador team. These 35-minute workshops are designed to allow participants to reflect on their strengths, share insights with other teens, and take away resources to help them become the leaders they want to be.
Is Financial Literacy Really That Important?
Scott Seavers
We will learn about the current finances of Americans, debt, retirement savings and budgeting. We will also apply leadership characteristics to this topic.
Bio:
Scott graduated from Columbus East High School and then went to Ball State University where he earned a Business Administration degree. He then got a job in Columbus at Irwin Union Bank and Trust Co where I worked for 2 ½ years. He then went back to Ball State and earned a Masters degree in Secondary Education while completing his teaching license. He was hired by Columbus North High School and has been teaching a variety of business classes for the past 30 years. He coached girls golf for 18 years at North.
He loves to play golf and poker and watch football. He is married with one daughter and two dogs (Norman and Leonard). He is most proud of his daughter who is a Registered Nurse at Riley Children’s Hospital.
Networking: The Importance of staying connected
Tyshaun Allen
Networking is more than just exchanging contact information; it's about building meaningful relationships that can open doors to new opportunities and support your personal and professional growth. In today's interconnected world, staying connected is crucial for success and can significantly impact your future.
Bio:
With over 20 years of experience in the construction industry, Tyshaun Allen has held various positions that have equipped him to handle both large and small-scale projects. He began his career as a General Laborer and later transitioned to the IT department as a Network Administrator after completing technical college. For the past decade, he has been working in Marketing and Business Development, and he currently serves as Vice President at Taylor Bros. Construction. Throughout his tenure, he has connected the firm with a diverse portfolio of suppliers and vendors.
Tyshaun’s true passion lies with people and the incredible outcomes that arise from genuine human connections. He actively serves on several community and industry boards. Additionally, he promotes the exciting world of construction to high school students, sharing his enthusiasm for the industry he loves.
Goal Setting and How to Really Follow Through
Dana Partin
Once inspired by something you want to achieve, how will you stay on track? Learn about the knowledge and components helpful to goal attainment and practice with a goal of your own.
Bio:
Dana Partin is a veteran of school counseling, an Independent Education Consultant, and a Licensed Mental Health Counseling provider. Dana currently works at The Academic Achievement Center, a Columbus based education consulting center that serves students and young adults nationwide. Additionally, Dana is an outpatient therapist at Ellie Mental Health, also located in Columbus.
As a School Counselor, Dana earned an award from the South Carolina Department of Higher Education for excellent programming and acquired a vast array of experiences and leadership roles while working with children, adolescents, and adults in a variety of capacities. Since transitioning to independent education consulting (IEC), Dana has assisted hundreds of students in planning for healthy achievement throughout high school, discovering college major and career pathways, and successfully gaining acceptance to a wide range of colleges including Ivy League schools. Married with 2 daughters (and 2 dogs), Dana enjoys learning anything new, spending time with others, water activities and pickleball.
