RICHMOND – The Longwood University campus in Farmville, Va. will be filled with hundreds of future Virginia leaders next week, as the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control proudly kicks off its YADAPP (Youth Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Project) 2010 summer leadership conference, July 19-22.

More than 300 Virginia high school students will gather to hear nationally acclaimed motivational speakers, attend educational workshops and participate in leadership activities. Participants will also brainstorm issues facing teens in their communities and create tangible “STAN” (Strategies To Act Now) plans to take back to their schools to implement during the 2010-2011 school year.

“This youth-led conference is an inspiring example of Virginia youth who are willing to take a stand and create positive change in their schools and communities. We applaud their courage and commitment to making a difference,” said J. Neal Insley, chairman of the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

Renowned motivational speakers including Carolyn E. Cornileson, Ph.D, Shannon Pickard, Patrick Perez, Jeff Yalden and Grant Baldwin will lead students in General Sessions throughout the week. The newly crowned Miss Virginia Caitlin Uze will MC the YADAPP 2010 talent show on Wednesday, July 21, from 8-10:30 p.m. in the Blackwell Ballroom.

YADAPP was created in 1985 as a youth leadership program empowering teens to become involved in keeping their schools and communities alcohol and drug free. Over the last 26 years, thousands of students and more than 440 high schools and community organizations have participated in this unique, youth-led leadership conference. Since 1995, Virginia ABC has partnered with other agencies to produce YADAPP. In 2009, ABC became lead coordinator for YADAPP and owner of YADAPP.com.