Superintendent Arntzen Encourages Applications for Youth Days

• Brian O'Leary
• March 24 2023

HELENA – Superintendent Elsie Arntzen is encouraging Montana schools to register for the 2023 Youth Days in Missoula on April 16 and 17, 2023. The theme for the 2023 Youth Days is “The Leader Within.”  Youth Days is focused on youth voice and leadership development, community service and engagement, school safety, and mental health.  The Office of Public Instruction (OPI) has partnered with Special Olympics Montana (SOMT) to host this opportunity once again for Middle School and High School students of all abilities to develop their leadership potential.  Registration will close on March 31, 2023.

“Youth Days is a great opportunity for all our Montana students to develop their voice and skills needed to impact positive changes in their schools,” said Superintendent Elsie Arntzen. “A big thank you to Special Olympics of Montana for championing with OPI to host this event. I encourage all of our schools to support our Montana youth leaders.”

The main keynote speaker is:

• Oscar B. McBride is the principal and founder of McBride Consulting and is also a graduate of the University of Notre Dame du lac (Government ’94) where he was a four-year football letter winner under legendary Coach Lou Holtz. After playing in the NFL (Arizona Cardinals), Oscar received a master’s degree in Coaching, Athletic Administration, and Exercise Science from Concordia University. Oscar is the former Chairman of the Fit4Life Youth Foundation, a California non-profit organization. This foundation operated various programs which included Relentless Sports and Red Zone Youth Passing League which were dedicated to championing youth fitness, wellness, and character and leadership development.

Other speakers include:

• Kenny Bies, former counselor from Bozeman
• Snpaqsin (Paq) Morigeau, Big Sky High School student
• Opal Besaw, Flathead Valley Community College student
• Levi Horn, former UM Montana and NFL offensive tackle
• Mike Beers, Montana comedian and motivational speaker for youth and adults with disabilities

The SOMT invites all participating schools to become Unified Champion Schools and take advantage of funding opportunities, resources, and support through our programming.  Through youth leadership, whole-school engagement, and inclusive sports opportunities, students can be the drivers in creating an environment of inclusion in their school communities and beyond. For more information visit www.somt.org/ucs or contact unifiedschools@somt.org.

For more information please contact put Anne Carpenter, Program Support Specialist, at Anne.Carpenter2@mt.gov or Michele Henson, School Safety Program Manager, at Michele.Henson@mt.gov.

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