More than 165 middle school students and their advisors from across Massachusetts attended the 2025 “Becoming a Leader” Conference at Worcester Technical High School. (Photo courtesy Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth)
WAKEFIELD — Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth (MPY) Executive Director Margie Daniels is proud to announce a successful collaboration with the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA), after the two organizations welcomed more than 165 middle school students and their advisors to the 2025 “Becoming a Leader” Conference held at Worcester Technical High School on Friday, Feb. 28.
The “Becoming a Leader” Conference featured four engaging speakers, addressing future leaders from Maynard, Worcester, Hudson, Ayer, Shirley, Milford, Framingham, Canton, Southbridge, the Accept Education Collaborative in Medway, and Tantasqua Regional High School.
Robert Hackenson Jr., a certified hypnotist and magician, inspired students to lead with purpose, build strong relationships, and make a lasting impact. Hackenson’s presentation, titled “Leading Together: Building Community and Driving Change at School,” encouraged students to set goals and follow through with them.
Resource Officer Michael Chase, from Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical High School in Danvers, inspired students with his powerful story of survival from the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013 at the finish line near Copley Square.
Officer Chase concluded his speech with a statement to remember: “Leadership isn’t just about being strong,” he said. “It’s about recognizing when you need help and when others do, too.”
Ivy Watts, a former All-American student athlete and founder of Ivy Watts Speaks, shared the personal journey that led her to confront her mental health challenges. Watts provided the students with practical tools for self-care that will help increase their mental wellness, deepen their self-love, renew their confidence, and build up resiliency.
Keynote speaker Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early emphasized that leading with kindness, fairness and empathy will help create a more compassionate world.
DA Early encouraged students to lead with character and integrity, reminding them of the age-old principle of the Golden Rule.
“Treat others as you would like to be treated,” said DA Early.
The “Becoming a Leader” Conference is part of a more-than-two-decade history of events cohosted by MPY and the MIAA, aimed at developing leadership through positive decision-making and personal growth.
“We’re proud to partner with the MIAA to offer this programming as a way to help build skills and confidence for our young leaders of the future,” said MPY Executive Director Margie Daniels. “The purpose of the conference, which is held each year, is to empower our young people to become leaders, focusing on ways for them to increase mental wellness, embrace healthy life choices and build up confidence and resiliency. Thank you to all of our featured speakers who helped make this such an impactful day.”
About the Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth, Inc.
Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth, Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that provides training, fosters collaboration and develops programming to increase the health and safety of students. MPY is committed to bringing cutting-edge information and high-quality trainings to constituents and endeavors to provide solution-oriented, community-based, multi-disciplinary approaches to reducing and ideally eliminating risky behaviors for youth. MPY programming reaches nearly 6,000 educators per year in Massachusetts, spread across approximately 300 districts, with more than 150 webinars and over a dozen conferences.
Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth is governed by a Board of Directors made up of school superintendents, police and fire chiefs, and other community leaders who work closely with MPY staff to deliver this mission. To learn more, visit: massachusettspartnershipsforyouth.com.
Robert Hackenson Jr., a certified hypnotist and magician, engaged with students during his presentation, “Leading Together: Building Community and Driving Change at School,” at the 2025 “Becoming a Leader” Conference. (Photo courtesy Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth)
Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical High School Resource Officer Michael Chase shared his powerful story of survival from the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, inspiring students with a message of resilience and leadership. (Photo courtesy Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth)
Mental health advocate and former All-American student-athlete Ivy Watts spoke to students about the importance of self-care, confidence, and mental wellness at the “Becoming a Leader” Conference. (Photo courtesy Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth)
Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early encouraged students to lead with kindness, fairness and integrity, emphasizing the importance of the Golden Rule. (Photo courtesy Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth)
Robert Hackenson Jr. interacted with students during his dynamic presentation, encouraging them to lead with purpose and build strong relationships. (Photo courtesy Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth)
Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical High School Resource Officer Michael Chase told his story of surviving the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, inspiring students with a message of resilience and leadership. (Photo courtesy Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth)
Ivy Watts is a former All-American student athlete and founder of Ivy Watts Speaks. Watts shared her personal journey that led her to confront her mental health challenges, providing students with practical tools for self-care that were helpful to her. (Photo courtesy Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth)
More than 165 middle school students and their advisors from across Massachusetts attended the 2025 “Becoming a Leader” Conference at Worcester Technical High School. (Photo courtesy Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth)
MPY Executive Director Margie Daniels and Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early celebrated the success of the 2025 “Becoming a Leader” Conference, which aims to empower young leaders with confidence and positive decision-making skills. (Photo courtesy Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth)