Albany State University to host annual CAAM Winter Youth Summit

ALBANY — The Albany State University Center for the African American Male will welcome middle school-age males to the center’s annual Winter Youth Summit Friday at 9 a.m. in ASU’s Health Physical Education and Recreation Gymnasium located on the school’s East Campus.

The summit’s theme is “A Bridge to College.”

“CAAM invites Southwest Georgia and North Florida middle school boys to our conference, where they will be entertained with high-speed breakout sessions in science, technology, engineering, math and robotics,” Antonio Leroy, executive director of CAAM, said in a news release. “They will have a presentation on higher education and the importance of leadership. We will also do a health and wellness component of our summit.”

The purpose of the event is to inspire middle school-age boys to develop sound leadership traits early. An estimated 700 to 1,000 middle school males are expected to attend.

“The students that participate in these programs show less behavioral problems in the classroom and look forward to this event every year,” said Lakeisha Covin, parent teacher coordinator at Albany Middle School.

During the conference, students will be broken into groups to engage in high-energy academic and motivational sessions, which allot time for social engagements among peers.

“We mentor our students on a personal level. We facilitate the event throughout the day and make sure they get from one breakout session to another,” Sean Whorton, CAAM’s president, said.

Speakers for the CAAM 2017 Winter Youth Summit include Vicki Philips, ASU director of student health services; Dennis Courtney, engineering instructor at Albany Technical College, and Jaylon O’Neal, published author and ASU student. Campus Greek organizations will offer special performances. Youth Summit participants will also tour the college and dine on campus.