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Butte Cares hosts statewide leadership conference

Posted: Feb 20, 2013 7:27 PM by KXLF
Updated: Feb 20, 2013 7:54 PM

Statewide leadership conference in Butte

Nearly 400 people gathered at Butte Central Catholic High School on Wednesday for a statewide leadership conference.

The conference is hosted by Butte Cares and Mariah's Challenge. High school students heard from Leo McCarthy whose daughter was killed by a drunk driver in 2007.

"We just talk to them one on one and tell them we don't want you to ever go through this," said McCarthy, founder of Mariah's Challenge. "We don't want your family to ever go through this. You guys are all leaders just believe in yourself."

The presentation was also led by Butte Central students in the Above the Influence club.

Parents, teachers and coaches were presented with a program called Life of an Athlete. John Underwood who directed the program said young athletes today have lousy nutrition habits. Underwood encouraged the adults in the audience to take an active role in teaching kids what responsibilities come with being an athlete.

"Most of these kids are nowhere near their potential, and if we can help even one kid get on the right page, or get off the wrong page, then all the effort is worth it," Underwood said.

The leadership conference will continue Thursday at Butte Central Catholic High School.