More than 250 sixth-grade students from across Cowlitz County gathered on March 27 at Longview First Baptist Church for the 2026 Regional Youth Leadership and Prevention Summit, an annual event that inspires leadership, builds confidence, and encourages healthy decision-making among youth.

Now in its third decade, the summit continues to serve as a key platform for prevention and youth leadership development, bringing together students, educators, and community partners for a full day of interactive learning and networking.

“The summit is about helping students see that their voice matters,” said Sue Tinney, Hilander HOPE Coalition Chair. “When young people recognize their potential and feel confident speaking up, they can create meaningful change in their schools and communities.”

This year’s event featured a vibrant lineup of workshops, hands-on activities, and a keynote speech focused on helping students recognize their potential and make positive choices in their schools and communities.

A Day Focused on Growth, Connection, and Leadership

The summit agenda featured a keynote speech, four workshop sessions, and a closing event to reinforce the day’s key messages. Topics covered included mental health, communication, substance use prevention, and building healthy relationships, all reflecting current needs identified through local data and school feedback.

Workshops provided students with practical tools and real-world strategies, including:

  • Recognizing and managing anxiety
  • Understanding the effects of nicotine and alcohol on the developing brain
  • Building communication and teamwork skills
  • Navigating social media and mental health
  • Practicing refusal skills and making healthy choices

Hands-on sessions, such as teamwork challenges and interactive discussions, encouraged students to engage with peers and presenters while developing skills they can use in everyday life.

“We want students to walk away with real tools they can use right away,” said Betsy Berndt, Prevention Project Coordinator with Hilander HOPE Coalition. “Whether it’s how to support a friend, manage stress, or make healthy choices, these are skills that carry far beyond today.”

Keynote Encourages Students to Embrace Their Potential

This year’s keynote speaker, Tyler Monk, founder of The Underdog Mentality®, delivered an engaging talk centered on self-belief, resilience, and personal growth.

Keynote speaker, Tyler Monk

Keynote speaker, Tyler Monk, delivers an engaging talk

Drawing from his own experiences overcoming challenges, Monk introduced students to his “4 Ps to the Power of Choice”, Perspective, Potential, Possibility, and Prioritization, encouraging them to challenge limiting beliefs and take ownership of their future.

“Tyler connected with students in a way that was both genuine and impactful,” said Lindsey Worley, Prevention Project Coordinator with CARE Coalition. “You could see students reflecting on their own choices and what’s possible for them.”

Monk’s message was reinforced throughout the day in workshops and discussions, helping students connect inspiration with actionable steps.

A Community Effort with Lasting Impact

The summit is a collaborative effort led by local Community Prevention Wellness Initiative (CPWI) coalitions, Hilander HOPE, CARE Coalition, and the EPIC Coalition, and is supported by many community partners, schools, and agencies.

Planning begins months in advance, with organizers using student survey data and community health insights to shape workshop topics and programming that address current challenges facing youth.

“No single organization could do this alone,” Stefi Sudar, CARE Coalition Chair. “It’s the collaboration that makes the summit meaningful and sustainable year after year.”

Since its founding in 2003, the summit has focused on empowering students to become leaders and advocates for healthy choices. Over the years, it has adapted to meet changing needs while staying true to its core mission of prevention and youth` engagement.

Student Voice at the Center

Students are not only participants but also contributors to the event’s success. In recent years, student leaders have helped plan sessions, lead activities, and support event logistics, strengthening peer-to-peer engagement and leadership development.

“It feels different when it’s coming from other students,” said Annalee Berndt, 6th grade student from Castle Rock Middle School. “It makes you want to listen and be part of it.”

Organizers emphasize that the impact of the summit extends beyond a single day. Students are encouraged to bring what they learn back to their schools, working with counselors, teachers, and peers to create positive change.

Measuring Success Beyond the Event

Success is evaluated through student and educator feedback, along with long-term trends in youth behavior and well-being. Surveys collected at the end of the summit help organizers improve future programming and ensure the event continues to meet student needs.

For many participants, the most meaningful results are reflected in the conversations students have afterward, discussing what they learned and how they intend to use it.

As the summit continues to grow and evolve, its mission remains clear: to equip young people with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to lead healthy, positive lives—and to support one another in doing the same.

The summit’s success would not have been possible without the support of this year’s community partners:

Community Prevention Wellness Initiative’s goal is to support proven strategies that will have a long-term, positive impact on youth and families. CPWI is being implemented through active partnerships with counties, Educational Service Districts (ESDs), local school districts, and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. Learn more and see CPWI community locations in the CPWI handout.