2021 NH Student Leadership Virtual Speaker Series

The NHIAA, NHADA (New Hampshire Athletic Directors Association), and Life of an Athlete have been working together to provide additional learning opportunities for students and adults in NHIAA member schools. We will be offering a Virtual Speaker Series beginning in February and running through April. 

Speakers will provide an interactive virtual environment for students and adults to listen and ask questions. Topics that will be presented include defining leadership, mental health, making good decisions, alcohol & substance misuse, goal setting, nutrition, & more! 

Please register in advance for each session you wish to attend. 

Questions? Email lifeofanathletenh@gmail.com

#1: Chris Herron Documentary presented by SoRock & Tim Lena (Monday, February 1 at 2:30pm - 4:00pm) click to register
The Southern Rockingham Coalition for Healthy Youth will screen the Chris Herron documentary "The First Day: A Focus on the Beginning" . Following the film, a panel of experts will be answering any questions from students and/or adults who attend.

#2: The Power Shuffle presented by Anna-Marie DiPasquale (Monday, February 8 at 3:00pm - 4:00pm) click to register
This is the first of four identical sessions. There will only be 20 participants in each! Anna-Marie DiPasquale is a licensed clinical social worker currently serving as a School Social Worker at Concord High School. Anna-Marie will take participants through an activity, known as the Power Shuffle. This activity is designed to help students become more aware of the many types of diversity that exist and encourage discussion about differences and similarities within their communities.

#3: Defining Leadership presented by Deb Hult (Wednesday, February 17 at 1:30pm - 2:40pm) click to register
Deb Hult is nationally known for her enthusiastic, positive, and down-to-earth personality. Deb uses her passion to motivate those she works with to operate with integrity and serve others. This workshop will equip us with understanding the Foundation of Leadership and the value of building meaningful and intentional relationships; not to be confused with having to be everyone’s best friend. The simple truth is leadership is about people and relationships. We will navigate your leadership style on the playing surface, in the classroom and in your community. Understanding our ability and willingness to establish MEANINGFUL AND INTENTIONAL relationships with others determines our leadership effectiveness.

#4: Courage & Collaboration presented by Deb Hult (Tuesday, February 23 at 10:00am - 11:00am) click to register
Deb Hult returns to discuss how discovering 4 pillars of COURAGE to support you in being confidently courageous and understanding that effective leaders create an environment of COLLABORATION, will be addressed in this workshop. The belief that my (our) way is the best or only way represents a “fixed mindset” that hinders a leader’s ability to see beyond their perceptions, beliefs, and biases. It takes courage to let go of ego, biases, and judgments to be willing to tap into the diversity, ideas, abilities, and strengths of others to get the desired results.

#5: Mental Health presented by Ivy Watts (Monday, March 1 at 3:00pm - 4:00pm) click to register
Ivy Watts is a former Division II All-American track and field student-athlete, Summa Cum Laude college graduate, Northeast-10 Woman of the Year, and top 30 finalist for the NCAA Woman of the Year. Ivy has found strength from therapy and her self-love journey to tell her own story and share her experience with the stigma associated with mental health. Through her public speaker, she aims to reduce the stigma, promote mental wellness, and empower others who may be struggling.

#6: Nutrition presented by Marcia Nelson (Tuesday, March 2 at 3:00pm - 4:00pm) click to register
Marcia Nelson is currently the Director of Sports Nutrition at the University of New Hampshire. Marcia was a five-time All-American swimmer at Principia College. Marcia has a passion for sports nutrition which led her to get her Master's in Nutrition and Health Promotion from Simmons College. Hear from an expert in keeping top-performing athletes nourished. Marcia will help you sort through all of your Google searches and well-intended recommendations to provide you with easy-to-follow and best ways to provide proper nutrition for your body while you study, train, and compete as a high school student-athlete.

#7: Empathy & Gratitude presented by Deb Hult (Thursday, March 11 at 2:00pm - 3:00pm) click to register
Deb Hult joins us again to discuss how empathy and gratitude relate to leadership. Different does not mean defeated. We are still in a pandemic, and the fact of the matter is everyone is facing a battle we know nothing about! Because of this, it is easy to lose sight of the value of our teammates, classmates, coaches, teachers etc., and not practice these principles. In this workshop we will address how you can be the difference that others will appreciate, and why your leadership will be effective by practicing EMPATHY and GRATITUDE.

#8: Time Management presented by Jones Loflin (Monday, March 15 at 3:00pm - 4:00pm) click to register
Jones Loflin has made it his life's work to deliver powerful ideas and practical solutions to individuals and organizations struggling with too much to do. In his 25 years as a speaker and trainer, he has helped countless people regain confidence in their ability to achieve great success in work and life. Jones will be providing participants a powerful framework for making the best choices with your time.

#9: Making Good Decisions presented by Darnelle Bosquet-Fleurival & Guests (Wednesday, March 24 at 3:00pm - 4:00pm) click to register
Darnelle Bosquet-Fleurival is the Assistant Director of Residential Life at the University of New Hampshire. Darnelle has put together a panel of college students to speak with and take questions from you! In this session, hear from college students who were recently "in your shoes"- traversing high school hallways, competing on their hometown courts, and working hard in the classroom to get to the next level academically and athletically. Ask questions and get different takes from others who have made good choices (or maybe not so good choices) for their own bodies, minds, academic well-being, professional futures, personal life, social media feeds, and more.

#10: What We Wish Coaches Knew presented by the NHIAA SLC (Tuesday, March 30 at 7:00pm - 8:00pm) click to register
A presentation crafted by members of the NHIAA Student Leadership Committee, this is a session for coaches, teachers, administrators and students. 

#11: Resiliency presented by Deb Hult (Monday, April 19 at 7:00pm - 8:00pm) click to register
Deb Hult returns to talk about the many reasons WHY we should look at our purpose and our intentions of WHY we do what we do. It is so easy to compare ourselves to others and feel like we are a failure. When our self-worth is diminished our frustrations in life can take over, and our anxiety increases. As a result, we are tempted to fall into blame, tear others down, encourage or support hazing, and de-value our teammates as well as ourselves. Deb will share her powerful message of WHY I CAN and the personal battles she has overcome that define the word RESILIENCY. Her message empowers you to not allow your challenges to become your identity…come to this workshop and be empowered!

#12: Goal Setting presented by Omari Pearson (Wednesday, April 21 at 1:15pm - 2:15pm) click to register
Omari Pearson, the founder of Passion to Purpose (P2P), is a former college and professional athlete, empowering students through sharing how to better navigate their educational journey in pursuit of their educational, life, and career goals.

#14: The Power Shuffle presented by Anna-Marie DiPasquale (Wednesday, April 21 at 3:00pm - 4:00pm) click to register
This is the third of four identical sessions. There will only be 20 participants in each! Anna-Marie DiPasquale is a licensed clinical social worker currently serving as a School Social Worker at Concord High School. Anna-Marie will take participants through an activity, known as the Power Shuffle. This activity is designed to help students become more aware of the many types of diversity that exist and encourage discussion about differences and similarities within their communities.

#15: The Power Shuffle presented by Anna-Marie DiPasquale (Thursday, April 22 at 3:00pm - 4:00pm) click to register
This is the last opportunity for this activity. There will only be 20 participants in each! Anna-Marie DiPasquale is a licensed clinical social worker currently serving as a School Social Worker at Concord High School. Anna-Marie will take participants through an activity, known as the Power Shuffle. This activity is designed to help students become more aware of the many types of diversity that exist and encourage discussion about differences and similarities within their communities.