College hosts teen leadership conference

Cal State Fullerton next month will host an interactive conference for high school students interested in leadership positions and volunteer work.

The campus will host Take the Lead, an annual teen conference on March 11 for freshman to seniors at any school around the county. Teachers are also invited to attend with their students for free.

The event is sponsored by OneOC, an organization that connects volunteers with nonprofits, and the Festival of Children Foundation, a Costa Mesa-based nonprofit that assists local charities that serve children.

There will be 20 workshops, lunch and a keynote presentation by Adaptive Action Sports Co-Founder Amy Purdy.

Students can also take part in service projects, including making cards for wounded veterans with Todd Francis, an artist and designer for Element Skateboards.

Donations of canned food, gently used shoes and cell phones will be accepted for various charities.

The conference is from 7:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Student Union at Cal State Fullerton, 800 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton.

Registration is $20 and can be completed online at https://www.takethelead2011.org.

Students will be credited with one hour of service learning for attending.

—Britney Barnes