From Awkward To Audacious | UDaily

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Excited chatter filled Clayton Hall as more than 400 middle and high school students from across Delaware gathered for the spring session of the Siegfried Youth Leadership Program (SYLP), a semiannual conference hosted at the University of Delaware. As students ranked occupations by income during an interactive poll, they began drawing connections between education and earnings.

"Most people can be a cashier, but not everybody can be a doctor," one student responded, capturing the core of Ahlstrom's message.

Since 2016, SYLP has empowered students in grades 8-12 to define their goals and develop leadership skills. Sponsored by The Siegfried Group in partnership with the Lerner College's CEEE, Horn Entrepreneurship and Junior Achievement of Delaware, the program equips students with tools to explore future career paths and cultivate the confidence to pursue them.

This spring's conference on March 18 offered four themed breakout sessions led by UD faculty and local business leaders. Students attended two sessions focused on entrepreneurship, economics and personal development. Each 40-minute workshop encouraged interactive participation and peer connection.

"Compelling Connections: Strengthening and Sustaining Relationships," led by Lauren Campbell and Nick Enos of The Siegfried Group, focused on building authentic relationships.

"From Competition to Monopoly: Market Structures and Mutually Beneficial Relationships," presented by Carlos Asarta, James B. O'Neill Director of the CEEE and Bank of America Professor of Education, explored economic systems and the impact of collaboration.

"Connection 101: Networking Using Your Best Self," led by Nat Measley, adjunct faculty with Horn Entrepreneurship, introduced the CORE framework — confidence, optimism, resilience and engagement — to support students' personal and professional interactions.

The breakout format, introduced at the fall 2024 SYLP session, was well received by both students and educators. Kyle Stackhouse, dean of students at Saint Edmond's Academy, said the change helped keep his eighth graders engaged.