Parents of 7th to 12th grade male students in the territory are advised that the annual MAN-UP Male Empowerment Conference will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 10, in the St. Thomas-St. John District at the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) Sports and Fitness Center and on St. Croix Wednesday, Feb. 11, in the St. Croix District at UVI’s Albert A. Sheen campus grounds. Both events will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. This year’s conference, titled “Awakening the Leader Within,” is sponsored in part by UVI, the V.I. Department of Education and the V.I. Department of Human Services.
The guest speaker for the MAN-UP Conference is Christopher Gardner, the inspiration for the Columbia Pictures movie “The Pursuit of Happyness,” starring Will Smith. Gardner is an associate producer of the film. Virgin Islands’ Grammy-nominated group Rock City will perform at the conference.
Male secondary school students should report to their respective schools at the regular time to be transported promptly to UVI’s campuses. He should not bring along his school bag or other school paraphernalia to the conference. Parents should have a conversation with their male child about expected behaviors, and following rules and regulations while at the conference. Signed parental permission slips should be returned to schools no later than Friday, Feb. 6.
