ABC's 23nd Annual College Conference
The 23rd Annual College Conference - Lights! Camera! Action! - held October 30 through November 1 at the Wyndham Virginia Beach Oceanfront Hotel, was a "blockbuster" success with more than 150 students from 20 colleges and universities attending. Hosted by Virginia ABC and funded through the Virginia Highway Safety Office, the three-day event focused on alcohol abuse prevention for college students, and offered tools to prevent underage drinking, as well as new ways to communicate life-saving ideas to their peers.
In line with this year's Lights! Camera! Action! theme, students participated in a variety of Hollywood-style events, from walking the red carpet, to posing for photographers, from listening to award-winning presentations, to taking part in a public service announcement competition.
Red Carpet Welcome - A student is greeted by ABC Special Agents Jesse Tate and Misty Waytes as she enters the 2008 College Conference.
ABC's Public Service Announcement (PSA) Challenge - Your face, Your peers, Your message - a video PSA competition, invited students to write, direct and produce a 30-60 second PSA that raises awareness about the harm that can result from underage and high-risk drinking, impaired driving and other highway safety issues. The first place winner of the PSA contest was Team 8 from Virginia Union University, which included Douglas Bolden, Torrie Cook, Raven Hall, Nina Westmoreland, Corinthia Bostic, Derrick Robinson, Bryan Morris and their "producer," ABC Special Agent Denise Klugh.
The Winning Team - Virginia Union University students, led by ABC Special Agent Denise Klugh, brainstorm for the PSA Challenge.
The keynote speaker was Matt Bellace, who hails from New York City and has more than 15 years in alcohol prevention experience. He holds a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and is widely known as a comedian and motivational speaker. Other featured speakers included Linda Hancock, Didra Brown-Taylor, Anthony DeAngelo, Michael P. McNeil and Marc Williams.
Learning to Lead - Students interact with speaker Anthony "Tony" DeAngelo during the high-energy leadership seminar, Collegiate EmPowerment.
ABC Commissioner Esther Vassar gave the opening remarks: "This year's Lights! Camera! Action! Conference promises to be an inspiring, interactive and educational experience, and you are vitally important to us, and your time, talents and commitment to our mutual mission are invaluable."
Lunch is Served - Students and program organizers enjoy one of several delicious meals served at the Wyndham Virginia Beach Oceanfront hotel, during the 2008 College Conference.
For more information about college education initiatives, please contact the Virginia ABC Education Section at (804) 213-4688.