Polk-Mahnomen-Norman Youth Leadership Summit

On October 20, 2026, students from across Polk, Norman, and Mahnomen counties gathered at
the University of Minnesota Crookston for the Second Annual PNM Youth Leadership Summit.
The day was an exciting opportunity for youth to connect with peers, build leadership skills,
share ideas, and explore ways to prevent substance use and make a positive difference in their
schools and communities.

Led by public health staff, the summit brought youth together to share their perspectives and
discuss issues that matter to them. Students explored substance use prevention, talked about
challenges facing young people in their communities, and worked together to identify solutions.

One of the highlights of the summit was seeing youth turn their ideas into action. Participants
developed positive social norm messages to take back to their schools and put into practice with
their peers. Their work highlighted the importance of listening to young people and recognizing
the valuable perspectives they bring to creating healthier school and community environments.

“When we listen to youth and give them meaningful opportunities to lead, we strengthen our
prevention efforts and help build communities where young people feel supported and
empowered to make a difference,” said Sarah Shimek, Polk County Public Health Wellness
Coordinator.

The summit reflects a shared commitment to ensure young people feel heard, build meaningful
connections, and have opportunities to shape prevention efforts. By creating space for youth to
connect and collaborate, the event encouraged students to recognize the important role they
can play in building healthier, more supportive communities.

The event was organized by Polk-Norman-Mahnomen Community Health Services, with funding
provided through the Cannabis Substance Use Prevention (CSUP) Program. Blue Cross and
Blue Shield of Minnesota generously provided lunch for participants.

We are grateful to the young people who brought their energy, ideas, and perspectives to the
summit, as well as the public health staff and community partners who helped make the day
possible. We look forward to seeing students carry their messages back to their schools, share
what they learned, and continue making their voices heard. When young people are supported
and empowered to lead, our entire community benefits.