More Than 600 Students To Connect At JCPS IdeaFestival

More than 600 students from Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) and area private schools will gather Friday for the JCPS IdeaFestival, to be held from 9 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at Spalding University, 901 S. Fourth St.

With a theme of ‘connectivity,’ the student-centered conference will feature six presentations, highlighting discussion of current and forward-looking ideas and issues from a diverse group of speakers.

Student-planned and executed, the event provides young people with an outlet to express opinions and delve into timely issues, and encourage their peers to see the connection between these issue and their lives.

Presentations include:

• 9:25 a.m.: “From the Memoirs of Society” (Shan’Taya Cowan of Fairdale High School)
• 9:40 a.m.:  “Connecting to Classical Music” (Alison Addie of duPont Manual High School)
• 10:20 a.m.:  Education Panel presentations (Jack Bradley of duPont Manual High School; Pearl Morttey of Fern Creek High School; Seth Pardieu of duPont Manual High School; Brittany Jewell of Central High School; and Naudia Green of Central High School)
• 10:40 a.m.: “Students Connecting to Education” (Moderators: Sydney Blocker and Anjali Chadha of duPont Manual High School) Followed by an audience Q&A
• 12:05 p.m.:  “A Word with Kris Kimel, founder of IdeaFestival”
• 12:15 p.m.:  “Decriminalizing Debate” (Carter Squires of duPont Manual High School)

In 2014, the JCPS IdeaFestival evolved from the IF Manual event, a festival held at duPont Manual High School and inspired by the official IdeaFestival. The JCPS IdeaFestival has expanded to deliver thought-provoking presentations and festivals to the entire JCPS District and private schools.