Speaker Highlights

Wednesday, November 16
Opening the Convention will be Salome Thomas-El, former teacher at Vaux Middle School who led his chess students to win world recognition as eight-time National Chess Champions. Now the principal of John F. Reynolds Elementary School in Philadelphia, Salome mentors students beyond high school.  Loyalty, perseverance, leadership and being committed to a purpose larger than one's self resulted in his memoir, I Choose To Stay, which will soon be a Disney movie. Hear his fascinating story that has earned national attention.

Friday, November 18
Concluding the Convention is Greg Smith. Greg, a product of Virginia's public schools currently working on a doctoral degree at the University of Virginia, is an activist working on behalf of the world's children. He is a 2004 Nobel Peace Prize Nominee and the spokesperson for the World Centers of Compassion for Children and the founder of International Youth Advocates. Greg has accomplished all this by the age of 16. Hear what's next for this fascinating young man.  Read news article.