"Our 1st Annual Youth Conference"
Article by Keith A. Walcott

Hello All,

     All hale Norita! All hale Norita! I'm referring to Ms. Norita J. Horne CEO & Founder of Successful Teens Achieving Right Solutions (STARS). As 9:00AM came and went we shifted gears and Norita assembled us prior to the adjusted show-time to pass down guidance. This lady handled this vehicle like a seasoned 18 wheeled truck driver and shifted gears without disturbing the precious cargo she was hauling. We took heed, carried out our instructions, and moved forward without a noticeable hitch. Our original plan to have breakout sessions within individual classrooms, changed to all youths remaining in the church sanctuary. The instructors came one by one to deliver their messages in 45 minute increments.

     Leslie Harriell-Turner is a true professional, with a delightful voice, and was a wonderful hostess. We also want to thank Mr. JD Collins, Ms. Gloria Cisse, Ms. Angela Harris, Ms. Nicole Rosser, Mr. Woodie Hughes Jr., and Mr. Marcus Girard. Our half time show, MC'd by Mr. Jason Hargrove, featured singers Kiondra Richardson, Joseph Blue, Jasmine Scott & Moment of Truth (MOT) Gospel Rappers. There was also a skit which depicted a reenactment of how STARS got started, narrated by Rebecca McCloud and Kiara Parham, and a raffle drawing. After lunch we got right into our panel discussion. Ms. Janice Mathis (Moderator), introduced by Mr. Chuck Miller, flipped the script (literally) as she had a group of youths from the audience come up to join the panelist and deliver their perspective on the prevailing questions.
     Once our youths had their opportunity to present their interpretation, our panel of professionals helped expound. Our panel members were as follows; Mr. Johnny Holliday, Mr. Timothy Lindsay, Mrs. Cassandra Wrenn, Mrs. Phyllis Bynum-Grace, Mr. Derek Abron, Mr. Marcus Girard and Mr. Gary Lee.
Those who were not in attendance missed some serious, exciting, and absolutely wonderful dialogue. This panel of professionals delivered a message that everyone needed to hear. Our key note speaker, Mr. Tim Watson, dynamically delivered an UPLIFTing System of Excellence message which resonated and kept the audience riveted. Paired with his childhood friend Chuck Miller, Tim reflected on his youthful days. Tim will tell you that he is the product of a small community who is exponentially successful because he keeps God first in his life. We are thankful that he decided to deliver his message to us. A follow-up question and answer session showed us just how humble he is. We thanked him and his wonderful family.

     We are not resting as we have already decided on the date for our next youth conference. We are asking for feed back form all involved in order to make the next event even better. We also want to take a minute to thank the following for their contributions in one form or another, and in no special order:

Bishop Harvey & Dr. Veronica Bee, Jarius Bee, Richard Smith, Leslie
Harriell-Turner, Christian Fellowship Church Members/Especially the Youth,
Hildred Jones, Chuck Miller, O'Reilly Auto Parts, Wal-Mart, Target, C & M
Signs & Shirts, Vernon Brown/Video & Camera Productions, Fred @ The Sign
Store, Warner Robins Recreation Department, Warner Robins Conference Center,
American Legion Post 594, Kapital Kutz (Barber Shop), Dirt Dogg @ WIBB,
Houston County Board of Education, Mr. & Mrs. Weaver, Agnes Walcott, Rufus
Taylor Jr., Robert O. Alexander, Dexter Simmons, Michael Hynson, Kevin
Killean, Tracey Webb, Randy Zapakin, Jewell Sconiers, Chief Master Sergeant
Hurst, Marcia Little, Angela Lake, Kelvin Cody, Gregory Diltz Henry Flowers,
Ezra Foster, Envy Palmore, Gloria O'Neal, Willie Tate, Tre McCloud, Norma
McCloud, Jonathan Fulton, Carmen Fulton, Adrian Robinson, Priscilla Toliver,
Rishawn Conerly, David Mannings, Aleida Walcott, Gyennda Williams & Rufus Cole.

We want all of you to know that we truly appreciate the time and effort you expended in order to make our endeavor truly successful.

God Bless you all on behalf of
Ms. Norita J. Horne CEO & Founder (STARS)
And the rest of our STARS family.