WINCHESTER – Front Royal-based Reaching Out Now (RON) hosted its fifth annual — and largest yet — Youth Empowered for Success (YES) Leadership Conference on Tuesday at Shenandoah University.

“This year, we were blessed to have around 170 students in attendance, plus the 40-plus baseball players from the Shenandoah University team, and all of the chaperones and volunteers,” said Samantha Barber, founder of RON.

Students heard from a series of speakers and completed community service projects designed to give them new perspectives, practical skills and the confidence to lead change in their schools, communities and future careers, Barber said.

Noting that the conference started with 15 students five years ago, Barber said that about 80 students from both Warren County Public Schools and W

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