DEARBORN — Former Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer will be the featured guest speaker at the first annual Edsel Ford High School Leadership Conference for students taking place on Wednesday, March 26, 2008. One hundred students from Edsel Ford will be selected to take part in the half day event beginning at 8:00 a.m. in the Boardroom of the Administrative Service Center, 18700 Audette, Dearborn.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to engage our students in building leadership skills and is only a preview to additional activities involving Edsel Ford students,” commented Hassane Jaafar, principal of the 1,500 student school.

The goal of the leadership conference is to bring together students from a variety of backgrounds with an assortment of talents and assist them in developing their leadership skills. Dearborn Schools Superintendent, Dr. John Artis, will kick off the day with opening comments followed by students participating in leadership building activities. After Mayor Archer shares his story with the group, the day will end with a panel discussion involving the students and several government, business, and community leaders.

“We are extremely excited about Mayor Archer’s participation in this summit not to mention the possibility of our own Mayor O’Reilly, the Superintendent, Dr. Artis and a wide cadre of civic and educational leaders,”Jaafar added.

High schools across the country are continuously working to provide students with a positive academic experience while at the same time dealing with outside influences that impact the school environment. In Michigan, the Governor touched on this concern in her State of the State speech when she highlighted a state-wide program that places an emphasis on creating high schools that build strong personal relationships that help students reach high expectations. Edsel Ford’s leadership conference is just one of many projects the school has developed to create an environment welcoming to all, socially and academically stimulating, and focused on achieving success.