On Saturday, August 17, 2013, student leadership groups from Montevallo High School and Vincent High school started the school year off powerfully by attending a High School Leadership Conference cosponsored by University of Montevallo Student Government Association and the MHS Student Government Association. The UM SGA not only helped to plan the conference, but they led sessions on topics such as philanthropy, fundraising, public speaking, increasing school publicity, special project ideas, and tools for effective leadership.

Angie Kelly, Director of the Career Development Center at UM, trained the various MHS and VHS club officers and student leaders in interpersonal skills through her opening speech and leadership activity, which included a personality assessment. The conference encouraged the student leaders to brainstorm ideas for the impact they can have in their schools and in their surrounding communities. The collaboration of the University of Montevallo and local high schools such as MHS and VHS set the stage for an active and motivating year of leadership in our smaller high schools and colleges in Shelby County and the metro Birmingham area.