Thrive365 at the Vive18 Youth Leadership Conference — Tempe, Arizona | December 5–7, 2025 Members of the Thrive365 Youth Council had the exciting opportunity to attend the Vive18 Youth Leadership Conference in Tempe, Arizona from December 5–7, 2025. This three-day event brought together student leaders from across the country to learn, collaborate, and build skills that help them lead positive change in their schools and communities. Our Experience During the conference, Thrive365 youth fully engaged in a variety of interactive and skill-building activities: Interactive Workshops & Leadership Training — Our students participated in sessions focused on leadership development, public speaking, project planning, and peer influence strategies. These workshops helped them build confidence and practical skills to lead initiatives back home. Peer-Led Content Creation — Thrive365 members got hands-on experience designing social media campaigns and other peer-led messaging promoting mental health awareness and substance-use prevention. Project Pitching & “Shark Tank–Style” Challenges — Students collaborated in teams to brainstorm, develop, and present project ideas. Thrive365 earned third place this year, building on last year’s second-place achievement, highlighting the creativity and impact of their initiatives. They will receive prize funds to support a youth prevention event in our community. Networking & Community Building — Thrive365 youth connected with other young leaders from across the nation, sharing experiences, insights, and motivation to drive positive change. These interactions strengthened their sense of community and reinforced that they are part of a larger movement for youth empowerment. Key Takeaways for Thrive365 By attending Vive18, our youth returned with: Enhanced Leadership Skills — Students gained confidence in public speaking, teamwork, and planning peer-led initiatives. Tools for Peer Advocacy — They now have strategies and resources to run campaigns, host events, and support mental health initiatives within their schools. Stronger Community Connections — Experiencing collaboration with like-minded youth inspired them to continue building supportive networks. Actionable Ideas for Local Impact — Thrive365 participants are now equipped to implement projects and events in our schools, directly applying what they learned at the conference. Recognition for Their Work — Winning third place this year (and second place last year) demonstrates the strength, creativity, and dedication of Thrive365 members. The prize funds will be used to support an impactful youth prevention event locally. Looking Ahead Thrive365 will use the experiences, skills, and recognition gained at Vive18 to: 1. Launch peer-led campaigns and activities that promote mental health and substance-use prevention. 2. Strengthen student leadership within the Thrive365 Youth Council. 3. Continue fostering connections with other youth leaders to encourage collaboration and shared learning. 4. Apply newly learned communication and project-planning skills to create meaningful, real-world impact in our school communities. 5. Use prize funds to host a youth prevention event that brings their ideas to life and engages the broader student community.