By Daily Press staff
Fifteen young Santa Monicans are attending the American Red Cross leadership conference.
The youth this week are learning communications skills, cultural sensitivity and diversity, and how to work effectively in groups at Pilgrim Pines Camp Grounds in Yucaipa, Calif.
The youth, ranging in age from 14 to 18 years old, also are being trained in developing leadership skills, learning good public speaking techniques, discovering the value in helping others and how to make a positive change in themselves and their community.
Attending from the Santa Monica chapter are Marisa Iannaccone, 15; Tracy Tan, 17; Jenny Chaun, 16; Mariza Lockhart, 16; Jonathan Quintana, 16; Luigi Roditis, 16; Daniel Lim, 15; Ivy Lee, 17, Yeji Lee, 14; Donghoon Lee, 18; Paige Kim, 15; Kristina Hon, 17; Olivia Butler, 15; Monica Choo, 15 and Andrew Pacheco, 15. All are students at Santa Monica High School except for Pacheco who attends Sylmar High School and is the son of John Pacheco, the executive director of the Santa Monica Red Cross chapter.
Funds to underwrite youth expenses for the conference came from the Santa Monica Kiwanis Club and the Santa Monica Red Cross chapter. Chapter youth also held numerous pancake breakfasts, car washes and electronic recycling drives over the last nine months to raise money for the conference.
The teens will continue to volunteer for the chapter over the next school year using the skills and knowledge they obtained at the leadership conference. They will work in disaster preparedness, teach first aid, CPR and baby-sitting classes, and perform a number of business-related functions including fundraising, marketing and administrative duties.
For additional information or to inquire about programs or assistance, call (310) 394- 3773 or go online at www.redcrossofsantamonica.org.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 16, 2006. Read the original PDF.