NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 5, 2026
MEDIA CONTACT: Tyler Erickson
Supervisor, St. Louis County Extension Services
(218) 733-2874 or ericksont@stlouiscountymn.gov
Youth in Action "Make a Difference Conference" is Feb. 9
The annual conference featuring workshops presented by students for students will be happening at the DECC in Duluth on Monday. The Youth in Action "Make a Difference" conference is February 9, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Approximately 350 students in grades 7-12 from 17 schools throughout the county are expected to attend this day of inspiration and sharing. This year's conference theme is LEAD: Leadership, Empathy, Action, Direction.
The Make a Difference Conference is presented by the St. Louis County Youth in Action Program and funded in part by the St. Louis County Board and numerous local organizations, businesses and colleges.
Youth in Action members have put together seven workshops to present at the conference. Below is the list of topics, and the schools that the presenting students attend:
- Who You Gonna Call? (mental health resources) - Ely
- Youth-Adult Partnerships in Service-Learning - Duluth Denfeld
- Leadership in Action - Marshall School
- Movement Makes a Difference – Chisholm
- Clip it Forward: The Ripple Effects of Empathy – Hermantown
- Slime Today, LEAD Tomorrow – Rock Ridge
- Environmental Action: Where to Start – Harbor City
Keynote speaker this year is Mason Branstrator, a content creator, public speaker, and disability educator from Duluth. Branstrator sustained a spinal cord injury at age 17 that forced him to find new ways to adapt to life. He began sharing these skills and lessons on social media, turning simple videos into a platform focused on adaptive living, resilience, and rethinking what is possible.
The conference also will feature more than 30 exhibitors from schools, non-profit organizations, law enforcement agencies, and businesses.
The mission of the annual Make a Difference Conference is to strengthen, educate, and inspire young people with the help of partners so they can make a difference in their communities through leadership, advocacy, and service; and to recruit, grow, and promote the Youth in Action program.
To learn more about Youth in Action or the Make a Difference conference, visit yiamn.org.
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