CONCORD – Over 150 high school students from around the state and Concord will participate in the N.C. Youth Council Community Service Conference this weekend.

The students will participate in a community service project at the Jeff Gordon Children’s Hospital at Northeast Medical Center this morning from 9:30-noon. The students will be doing a variety of activities including making fleece blankets for children who are in the hospital.

Each year the N.C. State Youth Council hosts four statewide conferences. Annually, the winter conference focuses on community service. Youth Council members are given the opportunity to travel around the state and use their talents to make a difference in various cities. At the same time they are able to learn leadership skills and what it takes to host conferences and plan events that will make a difference.

The students will also go to the Charlotte Bobcats game tomorrow night. The conference adjourns Sunday morning following the youth council business meeting.

Erika Lovin, a City of Concord Youth Council member and a senior at Cannon School, is the current N.C. State Youth Council vice chairman and Stephanie Legra, also a City of Concord Youth Council member and a junior at J.M. Robinson, is the current N.C. State Youth Council secretary.

The Concord Youth Council has existed since 2001 and has over 50 members from both private and public high schools in Cabarrus County. The students participate in many leadership and community service projects around the city and cohost events such as the City’s Annual Bunny Bash and Peanut Butter & Jam Festivals.