Local Soroptimist International to host conference

Soroptimist International of Madera will host its second annual Dream it, Be it Girls Conference Saturday, Nov. 5.

The free, day-long conference for high school girls will provide learning opportunities focusing on careers, setting and achieving goals and overcoming obstacles to success.

“Because we don’t expect that all girls will know what they want to do for the rest of their lives and we also know that plans change, the skills developed through the day can be applied to any goals the girls identify throughout their education and careers,” said conference chair, Sue Harris.

The event will take place at the Madera County Social Services Conference Room located at 700 E. Yosemite Ave., from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Throughout the day, the girls will attend sessions based on the following topics:

• Discovering your dreams

• Exploring careers

• Creating achievable goals

• Rising above obstacles

• Turning failure into success

• Balancing your stress

• Putting dreams into action Van Do-Reynoso is scheduled to be the conference’s Keynote speaker. Mrs. Do-Reynoso came to the United States as a refugee from Vietnam at the age of 9. She will talk about her journey into a new country and assimilating into the American culture.

The conference will also provide the girls with goodie bags and opportunities to win some prizes throughout the day.

The theme of the conference will be women superheroes.

The conference is limited to the first 100 girls, ages 14 to 18. To ensure a spot at the conference girls will need parent approval.

Applications are available at the Career Center at Madera South High School, the Activities Office at Madera High School and the Community Action Partnership of Madera County office (CAPMC), 1225 Gill Avenue. Parent and Students are also welcome to contact Soroptimist Conference Chair Harris for more information and an application at 673-0146 or email saharris54@att.net.

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Soroptimist International of Madera is part of Soroptimist International of the Americas, a cause-related philanthropic federation of clubs improving the lives of women and girls through social and economic empowerment. The Madera Soroptimists join 1,300 Soroptimist clubs in 20 countries and territories that empower women and girls through volunteer projects.