Students ages 10-18 converged on the University of Hartford campus for sessions devoted to such topics as building leadership qualities, communication skills, and self-esteem, and ways to set goals and embrace the value of inclusive excellence and belonging.
“This debut conference exceeded our expectations,” says Thomas Scavone, director of HCD. “Throughout the day, we saw how the youngsters from the Boys & Girls Club were fully engaged.”
Bruce Jeffery, CEO and president of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford, gave opening remarks in Wilde Auditorium, along with UHart President Lawrence P. Ward.
After that, there were individual sessions for students from different age groups, followed by a campus tour. About 15 student leaders and their faculty advisor from the Barney School of Business were on hand to assist. Several community organizations sent facilitators to the conference, as did ESPN.
The conference was an extension of the programming HCD offers to Boys & Girls Club participants year-round. Youngsters can also take guitar and keyboard lessons, which allow them the chance to perform at The Hartt School.
“HCD plans to continue to partner with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Hartford and host members at various performances on campus,” says Scavone. He anticipates that the leadership conference will return for a second year in 2026.