The Jimmy R. Newton Jr. Youth Leadership Conference is right around the corner, have you signed your child up yet?

The conference is scheduled to take place from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, May 16 at the Ignacio Middle School. The free event is open to all 12-18-year-old students in the surrounding areas and registration is set to end Friday, May 1.

The one-day event will include cultural presentations, leadership workshops, motivational speakers and discussion panels. Breakfast and lunch will be provided for students. Also, all students registered will receive a t-shirt and athletic bag.

For this year’s youth leadership conference, the Sunshine Cloud Smith Youth Advisory Council (SCSYAC) is hosting the conference in honor of the late Chairman Newton, Mary Guenther SCSYAC coordinator said.

“The conference is meant to inspire and motivate the youth … that’s what [Newton] would have wanted,” Guenther said. “Incorporating Newton’s ideals and values into the leadership conference was important.”

In preparation for the conference, the SCSYAC has been busy collaborating with community members and tribal departments to make it a memorable event, she said.

Registration packets are being distributed throughout the Ignacio School District or you can visit the Southern Ute Education Department website.

If you have any questions, or wish to request a registration packet you can call Mary Guenther at the Education Department, 970-563-0237.