The University of North Georgia is set to host the fourth annual Teen Wellness Summit on March 12, focusing on student wellness and success.
The summit is presented by United Way of Hall County and is open to Hall County and Gainesville City Schools students, according to officials.
Keynote speaker Mike Smith, founder of two nonprofits and a brand ambassador for Find Your Grind, will share his story from humble beginnings in Imperial, Nebraska, to overcoming academic challenges and discovering his passion and purpose.
Smith seeks to improve the lives of homeless individuals through skateboarding, music and art. He proposes the question, "If you could get all of that time back, what would you do differently?" emphasizing the importance of taking charge of one's life. He further asserts, "There are three types of people in life – those who wish, those who talk, and those who do. Success is doing what you love."
Students will have the opportunity to participate in student-guided lessons, exploring choices related to their wellness and mental health, officials said Friday.
A second speaker will also be present, Tamara Etterling, who has worked in the Hall County School District for nearly three decades.
“Through her leadership roles as both a teacher and administrator, Tamara has made a lasting impact on the Hall County School District," Superintendent Will Schofield said. "Etterling played a pivotal role in shaping and enhancing support systems for students across the district."
Students will dive into many different topics, such as screen usage, social media, survival skills for students, understanding mental health stigmas and more.
Lunch will be served as well, sponsored by Center Point.
The event will open at 9 a.m. on March 12 and run until 1:30 p.m. It will be held on the UNG Gainesville Campus, Hugh Mills Physical Education building located at 557 Mathis Drive, Gainesville.
