SADD Leadership Conference 2026

Tuesday October 20th 2026, Galway SADD Club Leaders: Kiarra Edwards, Ailey Nelson, Gracelyn Sheft, Katie Keehan, Mae Budris, and Sam Rysewyk-Null proudly represented Galway via attendance to the Prevention Council’s Student Leadership Conference in Saratoga Springs alongside other schools in Saratoga County. Upon arrival our 6 student SADD leaders were happy to encounter 2 additional familiar Galway faces in attendance through the New Visions program, Eva Anderson & Mikalea Muzzy. Students were assigned seating to various tables amongst other districts and asked to work together to not only advocate amongst their peers to make healthy choices but also to change the narrative on the conversation through social norming campaigns. 

Sharon Borgos Trzaskos of Borgos Marketing was the keynote speaker, teaching students about effective marketing and social norming campaigns. Followed by challenging students to analyze various successful campaigns using the method to identify how/why the campaign was effective. Sharon’s strong opening was followed with a few other speakers sharing heart-felt stories of personal resilience further reiterating the exact reason as to why this conference topic, and the work of SADD clubs and student leaders in general regarding positive and healthy decision-making is so needed. 

Following our speakers, students had earned a much needed break and feasted on a delicious lunch, had some fun in the photobooth, visited table stations, tried impairment goggles, enjoyed provided merchandise and visited amongst themselves getting to know tablemates. 

After lunch, the real fun began. Former Galway Prevention Council in-service rockstar representative, now Director of Prevention, Erin Webster reiterated the importance of social norming campaigns changing the narrative on statistics shared regarding heavy matters. She went on to highlight the difference in campaign success rates, proving increased success over time, from scare tactics to social norming. Ultimately concluding with the student’s task: to create a social norming campaign with their tables regarding whatever mystery topic the envelope on their tables concealed. At the close of the work period, student groups then shared their creations; during which time our Golden Eagles were just that-GOLD- and did not disappoint! To close out the day, students were challenged to bring these collective campaign ideas back to their home districts and continue to work on developing them through their independent SADD clubs.