Highlights from the 24th Annual College Conference
A Nor'easter/Tropical Storm that drenched Virginia Beach added extra drama to the 24th Annual College Conference, but in keeping with its theme (Lights, Camera, Action: Take 2), the "show" premiered as planned Nov 13-15, and was yet another blockbuster success!
Hosted by Virginia ABC and funded by the Virginia Highway Safety Office, the Annual College Conference's mission is to prevent and reduce underage and high-risk drinking and alcohol-related injuries and fatalities, protect students from harm, and improve quality of life for the entire campus community.
Even though a minor flood and power outage required a last-minute hotel change, the "stars" of the conference posed and strutted their stuff on the red carpet. For a light-hearted start to the conference, ABC Bureau of Law Enforcement agents and Miss Virginia welcomed students and encouraged them to "Represent!" as they announced their schools and majors.
Miss Virginia Caressa Cameron discussed how underage drinking and other high-risk behaviors can impact health, relationships and finances. She told students she's always been known as the "sober sister" and reliable designated driver, and challenged conference attendees to "find the joy in opportunity…by being an inspiration to somebody else."
ABC Board Chair Susan Swecker spoke of the agency's commitment to prevention education and applauded attendees for assuming leadership roles to improve public health and safety. Citing heroic pilot Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger's definition of integrity: "doing the right thing even when it's not convenient," Swecker told students, "Imagine yourself a spokesperson, with the power to help people make the right choice, even when it's not convenient."
Conference speaker Khiree Smith, a 19-year-old student at Hampton University and founder and executive director of The Young Trainers, had conference attendees on their feet as he led a session combining references to youth culture with his extensive knowledge of public health and marketing.
The College Conference provided abundant "food for thought." The hotel kitchen staff did their part by making sure attendees had plenty to eat to keep energy levels high.
Speaker Michael Gershe's presentation "The Magic of Life" reminded all present how strength can be attained through adversity. Gershe shared his story of how a drunk driver took his mother's life and severely injured him when he was just eight weeks old. His passion, performing on stage as a stand-up comedian, provided an entertaining and poignant experience for conference attendees.
With humor and brutal honesty, Carolyn Cornelison shared her story. Despite the attention she received as a gifted student-athlete and much-loved sorority sister, her addiction started and went unrecognized in college. Even after two DUIs, friends, family and Cornelison herself remained in denial about her toxic addiction problem. Cornelison, who holds a Ph.D. from Florida State University, said she is now thankful every minute of every day that she attained sobriety before her story ended in tragedy. She discussed the importance of recognizing abuse and urged attendees to reach out to people who need help.