By Jolene Farley
Hills-Beaver Creek High School students Jessica Martens and Jody Rentschler attended the Northern Star Leadership Conference on Saturday, May 19, at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.
Four hundred eighty sophomores from the state of Minnesota attended the event, sponsored by the University of Minnesota Office of Admissions and the Alumni Association.
Four Hills-Beaver Creek students were nominated but only two from each school could attend the event, so the U of M made the final decision of Martens and Rentschler as representatives for Hills-Beaver Creek.
Students were nominated based on academics, leadership and overall activities, according to Dan Ellingson, Hills-Beaver Creek guidance counselor.
"It is good for the girls to go out and interact with kids from other areas," said parent Lori Rentschler.
Rentschler said the conference was advantageous because it made the girls think about college sooner instead of waiting until later in high school.
The keynote speaker for the conference was John Roethlisberger, who won an Olympic gold medal for the United States in gymnastics.
Roethlisberger's message to the students was to never give up in the face of adversity. He faced battles in his career but came back to win a gold medal.
In the afternoon, students attended leadership seminars and a group discussion panel designed to enhance leadership skills.
Each school in the state was sent a letter about the event, but the majority of the schools that participated were closer to the Twin Cities area.
The conference was a positive experience, according to Martens and Rentschler. Hills-Beaver Creek High School plans to participate again next year, according to Ellingson.