The Link Center at the University of Wisconsin-Superior recently collaborated with the Public Leadership & Changemaking (PLC) program to invite area high school students to participate in Changemaker Day – a unique, interactive event highlighting social change.

More than 50 students from Cloquet, Proctor, Solon Springs and Superior High Schools participated in this inaugural event.

The goal of Changemaker Day is to lift youth voices and provide hands-on learning experiences relating to today’s societal challenges. The event included workshops facilitated by PLC faculty and current UW-Superior students exploring what issues students care about, how to be a changemaker and how to craft and deliver a persuasive pitch about specific social change issues.

“The day taught me how to make effective change, even though I am only a high school student,” said Marcus Madsen from Superior High School.

UW-Superior students Zoe Tietz, a WiSys Quick Pitch winner, and Jordan Kovach, social work major, supported the day with their personal changemaking stories.

A keynote was provided by Jodi Slick, 1998 UW-Superior graduate and founder and CEO of Ecolibrium3, a Duluth-based nonprofit organization working to create economic and environmental balance through the smart application of design thinking and strategic collaboration.

“UWS Changemaker Day gave me the inspiration to move forward and become a leader for a cause I feel strongly about,” said Ellie Berg from Proctor High School.