PLATTSBURGH — Shine On! will host its annual overnight conference March 2-3 at SUNY Plattsburgh’s Memorial Hall.
In conjunction with the April 8 solar eclipse, this year’s theme is “Eclipse the Doubt, Let Your Light Shine Out” and aims to teach girls to not let their own insecurities prevent them from reaching their goals.
Eight interactive workshops reinforce the three main themes of Shine On!: Media and Marketing Literacy, Upstander Communication Skills, and Character Strengths. These workshops, led by community volunteers, are aimed to engage and inspire 3rd-through 5th-grade girls with hands-on activities.
STEM workshops are incorporated into this year’s conference, and young girls will gain experience and knowledge in science and mathematics through eclipse-related activities.
This year, attendees will be able to explore more about space and the solar system. “Eclipse the Doubt, Let Your Light Shine Out” is dedicated to empowering young girls to foster social media literacy, communication skills, and character strengths.
Through mentorship, education, and community engagement, the annual conference aims to inspire girls to reach their full potential to make a positive impact on the world.
Shine On! fosters resilience in children and strives to prevent negative behavioral outcomes commonly seen in middle and high-school-aged teens by reaching them while they are still in elementary school. In addition to teaching young children, Shine On! shapes SUNY Plattsburgh college women as an experiential-learning course for students by fostering leadership and special event planning skills.
This year’s Shine On! chair, Molly Nelligan, guides a team of young adults in the planning and implementation of the annual conference.
“This experience has helped me gain valuable planning and leadership skills,” Nelligan said. “I believe Shine On! has taught me things I wouldn’t have been able to get in a classroom alone.”
This year, a mentor from previous conferences continues her support for the program.
“Serving as a mentor provides a unique perspective, reflecting on my own journey within the program while guiding and inspiring the next generation,” Sierra Wood said.
“Witnessing the impact this program has on girls’ confidence and individual growth emphasizes the transformative power and significance Shine On! has on shaping young minds, including my own.”
In other instances, some have attended the event as a young girl and have returned to mentor as a college student such as Elysia Saba of Plattsburgh.
“Attending Shine On! is one of my core childhood memories,” Saba said.
“When I came to SUNY Plattsburgh the first thing I made sure to do was keep my eyes open for information about the program. I will be attending my first conference, and I am beyond excited to impact other girls’ lives like mine!”
Shine On! has four main components: an annual overnight conference that hosts 150+ girls, an Education Outreach program where mentors spend nine weeks in a classroom, a parent workshop series entitled Raising Resilient Kids and Shine On-In-A-Box, a free program for teachers that aligns with NYS Social-Emotional and ELA standards.
Shine On! receives support from local sponsors such as the Adirondack Foundation, Cloudsplitter Foundation, TDC, The Foundation of CVPH, Kiwanis Noon Club, Riley Ford, The United Way. and Fleet Promotions.
For more information, visit: www.shineongirl.org