Youth Summit 2007

March 22, 2007

Youth Summit ‘07
Saturday, March 24, 2007
9:00 a.m.
Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church
412 E. Kennedy Blvd.
Eatonville, Florida

EATONVILLE - Hundreds of Orlando’s middle and high school-aged youth will soon appear before judges to discuss everything from drugs to gangs to teen sex. This Saturday, Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church will host the second annual Youth Summit ’07 – an event that promises to break down all barriers between our young people and our judicial system, as judges from around the state will meet with Orlando kids. “This summit was huge last year, and we just had to do it again,” said Youth Minister Derrick McRae.

This year’s event is based around the theme, “What Next?” and focuses on the consequences of both good and bad decision making. The format of the summit is completely open and will allow for dynamic interactions between judges and kids with no limits on content.

“We’re not candy coating anything,” said Ninth Circuit Judge Reginald Whitehead, “These kids can talk about guns, drugs, gangs or whatever - we’re just here to talk with them.” Judge Whitehead along with Judge Alicia Latimore from the Ninth Circuit will be on the judicial panel with judges from the sixth, seventh, eleventh and thirteenth circuits. The judges, who are also good friends, have taken it upon themselves to meet with kids across the state in similar programs to help them make better choices and stay out of trouble.

“These judges really know how to get down and dirty and talk the talk with these kids,” said Ninth Circuit Chief Judge Belvin Perry, Jr., “It’s an amazing program that everybody enjoys and learns from.”

This is the second consecutive year for the summit at Macedonia Missionary Baptist and the Church plans to continue holding the event annually. "This summit proves to be a vehicle that will transition the lives of young people and community,” said Pastor Willie C. Barnes.

Youth Summit ‘07 is a free event and open to all local youth groups and organizations. The summit begins at 9:00 a.m., Saturday, March 24, 2007 at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, 412 E. Kennedy Blvd. in Eatonville.

Media are welcome and encouraged to attend. For additional information, please contact Derrick McRae, Youth Minister at the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church at 407-756-8026. To arrange interviews with members of the judicial panel please contact Rob Bains with Court Administration at 407-836-0439.