Listen. Learn. Lead. 2025
Calls to Action
Advocate for Mental Health Education
Advocate for Mental Health Education
- Create Safe and Supportive Spaces for Youth - Young people need places outside of school where they feel seen, heard, and accepted. Community members can play a key role by creating or supporting environments where students can connect without pressure — such as local businesses, faith organizations, libraries, or recreation centers.
- Normalize Conversations about Mental Health -Students report feeling less alone when adults in the community talk about mental health in the same way they talk about physical health. Community members can help reduce stigma and show that it’s okay to seek support.
- Advocate for Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) in Schools - Social-emotional learning helps students build skills like empathy, self-awareness, and emotional regulation — all of which are essential for mental wellness and healthy relationships. While educators lead this work in schools, community members can be strong advocates and partners in promoting it.
Provide More Career Preparation and Experiences
Provide More Career Preparation and Experiences
Connect with local schools and students. Learn how you can make a difference through CareerPrep 2030 and connect with Kent ISD’s Workforce Development Team to discover a variety of ways to engage.
This team builds relationships between education and business to help students learn critical career skills.
Seek Authentic Student Voice
Seek Authentic Student Voice
Include students in important conversations and really listen to them. Seek their input in decisions that affect their education, their communities, and their futures. They want to partner with you and be involved.
Relationship Building
Relationship Building
Talk to our students like they are one of us. Build trust. Engage them in meaningful conversations. Relationships matter.
8:45 - Breakfast & Networking
Student Expression - Musical Contributions
Coco Jawad, West Michigan Aviation Academy - Piano
Grayson Sikkema, West Michigan Aviation Academy – Violin
9:20 - Program Featuring the Student Leadership Community begins
Emcees - Opening Remarks
Ryleigh O’Connor, Comstock Park High School
Chay’ce Smith, Kenowa Hills High School
Student Expression - Video
Dominik Ladomato-Fisher, Grand Rapids University Preparatory Academy
Setting the Stage
Holly Lawrence, Byron Center High School
Lylah Cooper, Rockford High School
Girum Merriman, Sparta High School
Student Expression - Artwork
Sofia Barajas-Gutierrez, Wyoming High School
Where The Path Begins
Panel Discussion
Moderator
Angel Martinez-Alcauter, Comstock Park High School
Panelists
Brandon McCullough, Kent City High School
Azaria Powell, Grand Rapids University Preparatory Academy
Ellery Vogel, Lowell High School
Colin Yanik, Northview High School
Calvin Zeng, Grandville High School
Student Expression - Video
Annet Lopez-Pinedo, Godwin Heights High School
Table Discussion
Moderator
Zoë Cunningham, East Grand Rapids High School
Table Discussion Leaders
Student Leadership Community Members
Student Expression – Poetry
Zoee Randall, Kent City High School
What’s Left
Elevating Student Voice
Dr. Ron Gorman, Kent ISD Superintendent
Final Thoughts
Emcees
Ryleigh O’Connor, Comstock Park High School
Chay’ce Smith, Kenowa Hills High School
11:00 Program Ends
Additional Contributors to Today's Program
Presenter and Panelist Alternates
Jaimey Beke, Kenowa Hills Pathways High School
Aluet Deng, Forest Hills Northern High School
Registration Table
Ty Kimbrell, Caledonia High School
Emory Smith, Cedar Springs High School
Brayley May, Sparta High School
Madison Kietzman, Thornapple Kellogg High School
Greeters
Leland Croskey, East Kentwood High School
Arianna Escribano, Lee High School
Lily McKenney, Wyoming High School
Shawn Richards, Grandville High School
Jarrett Smith, Lowell High School
Event Coordination Team
Zoë Cunningham, East Grand Rapids High School
Oliver Nibbelink, Northview High School
Ryleigh O’Connor, Comstock Park High School
Chay’ce Smith, Kenowa Hills High School
Colin Yanik, Northview High School
Presenting Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Supporting Sponsors
