The 13th Annual Youth Conference will be held November 15 through 18 at the Kentucky Leadership Center near Jabez on Lake Cumberland. The conference is for top students around the bluegrass to come together and discuss issues of concern.

"The participants will learn the process needed to plan and carry out community programs which address local issues," said Roger A. Rennekamp, who works in program and staff development for the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service.

Students have to be sophomores or juniors in high school who exhibit leadership qualities and will take what they learn at the conference back home and demonstrate it throughout their community by making positive changes.

Each county may have a team, which consists of one adult and two youth. Extension agents and adults also are able to attend as a member of a team. If a county does not meet their requirements, another county may use the slots that are left, as long as the conference does not exceed the limit of 175 participants.

On their conference application forms, participants must indicate the issues. Action groups will address issues selected by majority vote. This year action groups will address stress, diversity, media, youth voices, character and punishment. Facilitators will lead discussions on these issues.

Before attending the conference, each participant should make a scrapbook containing Internet, newspaper, and magazine articles, photographs, brochures and any other material of interest to the issue of their choice. Participants can enter their scrapbooks at the conference for judging; prizes will be awarded. While at the conference, students will discuss their opinions and apprehension pertaining to their issue.

The conference is sponsored by the Kentucky 4-H program, but participants do not have to be in 4-H to attend. To find out more about the conference, visit their web site at http://communities.msn.com/KYIssues.