24th Annual National Dropout Prevention Network Conference

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS:

Monday, October 15, 2012

Mr. Lucas Boyce

Director of Community Relations and Government Affairs for the Orlando Magic

Lucas is the Director of the Community Relations and Government Affairs Department for one of the NBA's elite sports franchises, the Orlando Magic. Prior to joining the Magic, Lucas served at the White House and on a presidential campaign in a variety of different capacities spanning three separate offices: Political Affairs, Public Liaison, and the Office of the Vice President. A sought after speaker, Lucas travels across the country delivering his message of character, faith, and perseverance while seeking to instill in everyone he meets the belief that they are built for something more and have an opportunity to make a positive impact on their generation, regardless of their background or upbringing.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Mr. Richard Santana

Motivational Speaker

A once tough-talking Latino gangster, now a college-educated, nationally recognized speaker, Richard Santana's journey provides a powerful and graphic illustration of cultural relevance in schools. His moving accounts of his gang-life experiences and how they shaped his beliefs, attitudes, and self-expectations are inspiring, unsettling, and thought-provoking. He challenges his audience to critically assess their own perceptions and helps them to recognize how these perceptions influence work relationships, effectiveness, and productivity.

His message is one of making choices: between hope and hopelessness, between evaluating young people based upon our own standards or accepting them in the context of their own, between giving up on our most challenged youth or truly becoming their advocates.

Founder of Homeboy Goes to Harvard Productions, Richard shares his story as a third-generation gang member who went on to earn a master's degree from Harvard University. He demonstrates to students and educators how he accomplished the change that occurred in his life--change that can occur in anyone's life.

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Dr. Debra Peppers

Educator, Motivational Speaker, Television Host, Author, and Humorist

Dr. Debra Peppers was one of only five teachers inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame upon her retirement from teaching English, speech, and drama in St. Louis, Missouri. Among her honors is the Emmy award winning play CHOICES, as well as outstanding alumni at Webster University where she is on the adjunct faculty in the master's program. For ten years Debra hosted a daily three hour drive time radio talk show, Talk from the Heart. For three years she has hosted a weekly TV program, The Outreach Connection, where her tagline is Shakin' the Salt with Dr. Peppers.

Debra is a member of the National Speakers' Association and has traveled to all 50 states and 60 countries. As an author she is in over 20 publications, including Living Your Dreams, God Allows U-Turns, A Father's Embrace, Best Practices, five editions of Chicken Soup for the Soul, and her own books, It's Your Turn Now and Secrets of Success.

Her speaking often incorporates her personal story of a 100-pound weight loss and having been a former high school dropout. Debra has been a featured speaker all over the world, from a one room school in Africa to the Crystal Cathedral to conventions of thousands--wherever she can motivate and encourage others.