On March 12, 2026, Leaders in Life welcomed students from across the county for its 26th annual youth conference, a place for students to not only find, but entrench their leadership abilities.  

 

But what exactly is Leaders in Life? According to the organization's website, it is a leadership conference built for teens, by teens. Over the course of a year, more than 100 students collaborate (with very minimal adult intervention) to bring the event to life, organizing everything from logistics to marketing. The student board is divided into several departments, including resource fair, venue and logistics, marketing and public relations, and speakers and workshops, each playing a vital role in shaping the conference from the ground up.  

 

Maybe the biggest spectacle of the event is its resource fair, which this year featured well over 40 booths representing programs, nonprofits, and universities from across the region.  

 

Organizations such as CAPK Food Bank and the University of California, Santa Barbara were among those offering informational sessions and hands on help, giving students access to resources and community programs they may not have otherwise encountered. For the vast majority of attendees, the resource fair represents one of the most tangible ways Leaders in Life delivers on its mission of expanding opportunity for young people throughout the county. 

 

The conference consistently references this concept of a "spark." A spark, as Leaders in Life defines it, is the driving force that lives inside every person, particularly those who have yet to reach their full potential. It is the reason you wake up in the morning. It can be a passion, a sport, a family member, or a personal goal. In short, it is whatever gives your life purpose and pushes you forward. 

 

At a time when media coverage of young people tends to focus on struggle and shortcomings, they lose their spark in the process. Leaders in Life actively combat this notion. The conference serves as a reminder that students don’t have to conform to the rigid requirements that the media tells them to meet.  

 

This year, two keynote speakers took the stage and shared stories about their personal challenges and the lessons learned along the way. Students noted that these speeches were particularly impactful because they spoke to them as adolescents, rather than young children.  

 

Alongside the keynote addresses, students had the opportunity to participate in a variety of workshops and presentations designed to help them discover and develop their own sparks. Sessions included a presentation from KCSOS's SWAT program, which stands for Students Working Against Tobacco, an introductory Leaders in Life 101 overview, and a hands-on CPR training session. 

 

Now in its 26th year, Leaders in Life continues to prove that when students are given the tools, the stage, and the support, they rise to meet the moment. If interested in attending for the 2026-2027 school year, speak with your school counselor or related administrators.