October 9, 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 FRESH: Food, Rest, Exercise, Serenity, Health

SOMERVILLE – Somerset County teens in grades 7 to 12 are invited to attend Somerset County’s 19th annual Youth Conference on Thursday, Oct. 29, from 6 to 9 p.m.  The theme this year is “FRESH: Food, Rest, Exercise, Serenity, Health.”  The conference is sponsored by the Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Somerset County Youth Council.

The conference will be held in Conference Room 1 of the Human Services Building, located at 27 Warren St., Somerville, N.J. 08876.  Seating is limited to the first 70 students to register. The registration deadline is Oct. 22. No walk-ins will be permitted.

Admission is free with one can of food, which will be donated to the Food Bank Network of Somerset County. Refreshments will be provided.

Certificates will be awarded to participants for 2.5 hours of community-service learning. 

Freeholder Brian D. Levine, youth council liaison, will offer welcome remarks.  He will be followed by keynote speaker Amirah James of the Somerset County Youth Council who will talk about the importance of being a leader in making positive decisions that affect long-term health.

Workshops will include “Healthy/Unhealthy: Where is the balance?”  “Wholesome Jeopardy,” “Money/Time Management” and “Creative Eating” by Karen Monetti of bodhi by Anthony Monetti in Somerville.

“This is the 19th consecutive year that we are hosting a youth conference, which will provide useful information and strategies for our young people,” said Freeholder Levine.  “The conference is a fun way to meet other teens, learn lifelong skills and discuss relevant topics of interest and concern.

“This year’s program focuses around leadership; money/time management; healthy eating; positive, balanced living; and exercise” he said.  “In our fast-paced world, finding balance is illusive for adults as well as young people.  Yet doing so can increase our ability to set and attain our goals and be more productive in the long run.”

The conference planning committee consists of youth council members from Bridgewater-Raritan and William Annin middle schools, Central Jersey College Prep Charter and Kent Place schools; and Bernards, Bridgewater-Raritan, Franklin, Hillsborough, Montgomery, North Plainfield, Ridge, Watchung Hills Regional and the Somerset County Vocational and Technical high schools.

For information about the conference, contact Sarah Murchison of the county Office of Operations and Planning at 908-704-6307 or murchis@co.somerset.nj.us or go to http://bit.ly/YouthConf2015 for a registration form.

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