By CW, The Freelancer
The Young Women’s Conference San Diego was held at Mt. Miguel High School on March 21 at 8:30 a.m., bringing together students for a day focused on growth, confidence, and future success. The event featured a variety of workshops, including College and Career Preparation, Entrepreneurship, STEM: Ready for the Future, Money $mart Basics, and Mental Wellness, along with other activities designed to inspire young women to think about their goals.
The conference was organized around a clear and meaningful theme. Rae Russell, the conference director, explained, “The conference is built on the powerful theme: ‘She believed she could, so she did.’” Russell added, “This isn’t just a catchy phrase; it is the foundation of the event’s mission.” During the day, that message was reflected in the workshops and interactions between students, speakers, and organizers.
Each session gave students a chance to learn practical skills and hear real advice about their futures. In the College and Career Preparation workshop, students explored steps they can take now to reach their goals. The Entrepreneurship session encouraged creativity and leadership, while STEM workshops showed how young women can succeed in fields that are still growing and changing. Money $mart$ Basics helped students understand financial responsibility, and Mental Wellness focused on the importance of taking care of yourself while chasing success.
Shelly Cook, Marketing and Public Relations Manager, who helped with the event, shared a few moments that stood out to her. “My highlight of the event was witnessing a parent come to pick up her daughter early. I personally escorted the mother to her daughter’s workshop room and the daughter’s response was, ‘Mama, I want to stay.” She also described how the same student reacted to a performance by praise dancers, saying, “I wish I would’ve known so I could have danced too.” Another moment that stuck with her was when a junior in high school shared on the ride home that she wished the workshops were longer because they felt too short.
Cook added, “To hear and witness what I did at this year’s conference gives me the fuel to keep this ball rolling for our future young women leaders.”
This conference showed that when young women are given opportunities, they want to learn, grow, and be involved. It created a space where students could see what is possible for their future.
To all the young women who attended: keep pushing forward, even when things feel uncertain. Believe in yourself, take every opportunity to learn, and don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. Your future is yours to build, and it starts with the choices you make today.
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