Here Are Some Of Our 2024 Retreat Presenters

Harriet Turk

Workshop presenter 6th grade/7th grade participants

For more than 25 years, Harriet Turk has blazed a trail helping leaders, students, and organizations discover how to reach their full potential and be more successful. She’s often described as “that cheerleader woman,” because Harriet believes encouragement and enthusiasm are fuel for living. Her keynote presentations, leadership retreats and workshops combine entertainment with education and encourages everyone to get up and make things happen in their life. Harriet has worked as a probation officer, youth programs coordinator, flight attendant, pharmaceutical sales rep, college-level professor and nationally-known professional speaker, trainer and consultant. Her ultimate goal is for everyone who hears her presentations to walk away with a confident sense of self, to embrace their unique abilities, and to create a life they love.

Workshop Title: Just B U

Workshop Description: From the time we are little girls, we are shown images of what a beautiful woman looks like. We are taught that we should try to be beautiful, too. We dress up, we put on make-up, we play with our hair, we read the magazines, and we try. We try very hard. But, we never know when it’s enough. No one ever says, “You’ve reached the goal! You can stop trying now.” So we keep on reaching for perfection. We’d like for someone to tell us when we are beautiful enough. This presentation will help young women recognize their true beauty and self-esteem. Beyond just their physical appearance, they will dig deep and uncover their strengths, their value, and their self-worth. The journey of self-discovery will set them free. They will learn to appreciate their own unique beauty and to discard the myth that everyone else is better than they are.

Tejal Patel

Yoga as a Daily Practice

Tejal Patel (she/they) is a first-generation Indian American yoga teacher, writer, podcaster, and community organizer. Tejal’s aim is to educate and empower individuals and groups around the world to practice yoga holistically and through a social justice equity lens. Tejal can be found decolonizing wellness with the revolutionary Tejal Yoga Online, a primarily South Asian teacher-led yoga space, with the abcdyogi interactive community, an online hub for healing and learning, and through the Yoga is Dead podcast, e-book, and signature cultural appropriation training. Learn more and take your first class free at tejalyoga.com

Tanya Panizzo

Tanya Panizzo

Self-Defense and Safety: Skills to empower yourself!

Tanya Panizzo has been teaching self defense and personal safety for 20 years. She is a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, a blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and has spent the last two decades helping people from all walks of life develop safety skills. A former engineer for the automotive industry, Tanya left her job to open Fighting Spirit Personal Safety as well as her martial arts school. Her devotion to helping others find their personal power is one she loves to share!

Kea Norrell Aitch

MSU Extension Educator, Mental Health & Emotional Wellness

Workshop Title: Her mental health = Her wellness; 8/9 grade participants

Workshop Description: This session will explore how stress can affect mental health and wellness if not addressed in a healthy manner.  Participants will learn and try out a variety of mindfulness techniques to decrease stress at home, school, and in social settings.  This engaging session will allow participants to increase knowledge of the benefits of spending time in nature, breathing techniques, and self-assessments all for balance in their mental, emotional and social health.

Haley Fluke

MSUFCU

Workshop Title: The Price Is Right; 4/5 grade participants

Workshop Description: Learn more about cost considerations and goods vs. services through an interactive, engaging activity.

Tonya Williams

MSUFCU

Workshop Title: The Price Is Right; 4/5 grade participants

Workshop Description: Learn more about cost considerations and goods vs. services through an interactive, engaging activity.