On Thursday, May 1, St. Mary’s College (SMC) hosted its first-ever INSPIRE Leadership Conference, a full day dedicated to empowering students in Grades 7 through 12 with practical leadership skills and personal development strategies. 

The conference was headlined by author and motivational speaker Sam Demma, marking his third visit to SMC. Demma delivered a powerful keynote focused on the idea that leadership is not a title, but a mindset.

“Leadership isn’t a title or a position—it’s a daily choice,” said Demma. “The sooner young people see themselves as leaders, the more positive change they’ll create, not just in their own lives, but in the lives of those around them.”

Throughout the day, students engaged in a variety of interactive sessions, including goal-setting workshops, team-building exercises, and roundtable discussions. These sessions focused on building servant leadership, self-confidence, and personal values. Demma also spoke candidly about the importance of resilience and learning through setbacks.

“Don’t be afraid to fail,” he said. “I’ve had plenty of things not turn out the way I expected, but that doesn’t make you any less of a leader. Own your mistakes, learn from them, and keep moving forward. 

The only real failure is not trying—especially when it’s something you’re passionate about. What we often call failure is really just feedback. It’s part of the process that guides you toward where you want to go. So, embrace it, learn from it, and keep going,” said Demma.

The conference was brought to life through the efforts of the SMC Student Senate and Senior Student Trustee, Kenzie Garson. Inspired by her own experiences attending leadership conferences with the Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board, Garson wanted her peers—especially younger students—to experience the same opportunities.

“I saw this as a great opportunity for everyone at SMC, especially our student senate members in Grade 7 and 8,” said Garson. “It gives them a sense of what’s possible, helps build the right mindset early on, and could even support those who may be struggling with the thought of transitioning to high school.”

She added, “I wanted to bring this conference to life so that other people can experience what I experienced. I’m so grateful for the conferences I get to attend, and I know how much they’ve helped me grow.”

By the end of the event, students were challenged to transform their self-awareness into meaningful action and become leaders committed to making a difference—both now and in the future. Designed to support academic and personal growth, the INSPIRE Leadership Conference left students equipped to lead with confidence, compassion, and purpose.

“I often remind students that the choices they make now can impact their future,” said Demma. “You don’t need to put too much pressure on yourself, but it’s important to be mindful. If you’ve been making choices that aren’t helping you—or others—remember that every day is a new opportunity to choose differently. So, start making more positive ones.”

His message echoed the core purpose of the conference: to spark transformation through intentional action and empower students to realize their potential as everyday leaders.

“Events like the INSPIRE Leadership Conference are more than just a day away from class—they are transformational moments,” said Fil Lettieri, Director of Education at HSCDSB. “When students are empowered to lead, they begin to see their own potential and the positive impact they can have on the world around them. We’re deeply proud of the initiative shown by our student senate and grateful to everyone who helped organize and support this incredible event, especially Vice-Principal Palumbo. Thank you for making this vision a reality.”