Westmont’s Page Hall was filled with over 400 local students and their families Mar. 3, celebrating the commencement of the Global Leadership Conference.

Over a series of three days, the students participated in team building exercises, mock college interviews, and they also attended lectures on leadership, responsibility, and goal-setting.

Juniors Daria Etezadi and Eddie Conk were both recognized as exceptional student leaders.

Daria was recognized as the Santa Barbara Female Youth Leader of the Year with a $1,000 college scholarship and an all-expense paid trip to Washington D.C. this coming fall for the national Global Leadership Conference.

“I’m still not quite sure what happened. I was so surprised when they called out my name that I had trouble getting out of my seat,” Daria said.

Junior Eddie Conk was also recognized as a Santa Barbara Student Ambassador and earned a scholarship.

This is the third year that Laguna has participated in the GLC.

In the first year, Austin Patrick ‘09 won the Male Youth Leader  Award and traveled to Washington, D.C. Austin is currently attending the Naval Academy.

Last year, senior Kai Gamble won the Male Youth Leader Award and traveled to Washington, D.C. Kai will be attending the Naval Academy in the fall.

The leadership conference not only helps recognize local student leaders, but also helps develop and prepare students for the college experience.

“I thought it was cool to meet other juniors at different schools and I was really excited to win my scholarship,” said junior Eddie Conk.