By Maggie Downs
Enquirer staff writer

BLUE ASH - As stacks of plastic straws inched higher to the ceiling, some teens watched in awe while others traded high fives.

The goal was to see which group could build the highest tower using straws, tape and paper. While doing so, the teens learned something about themselves.

Kayla McDonald, 14, a Sycamore High School freshman, is an observer, the type who examines the situation and offers feedback. Her friend, Frank Bakes, 14, another freshman from Sycamore, is an initiator, someone who gives pep talks to keep the team going.

McDonald and Bakes were two of 40 delegates taking part Tuesday in the second day of a two-day leadership conference presented by the Northeast Community Challenge Youth Coalition, a board that unites the Blue Ash, Montgomery, Sycamore Township and Symmes Township communities to collaboratively promote healthy youth.

Participating students, who were recruited by their peers, were from Ursuline Academy, Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy, Archbishop Moeller and Sycamore high schools.

"The goal is to teach these teens to be make decisions that will lead to healthy lifestyles," said Loretta Novince, an adjunct professor in child and adolescent psychology at the University of Cincinnati, who is also with the coalition.

What makes this conference different is that just a handful of adults was involved. All workshops and sessions were moderated by 25 teen leaders, a huge selling point for attendees.

During a student-led talk about social cruelty, the delegates didn't listen to a lecture about bullies who steal lunch money. Instead, they had roundtable discussions about the injustice of stereotypes, being ignored in the cafeteria and ruining someone's reputation through instant messaging.

"Seeing other teens up there gets the kids talking, saying things they normally wouldn't say to an adult," explained Molly Good, 15, a student leader from Ursuline Academy.

The key, the leaders said, is to keep the workshops interactive.

"We try to make the workshops as exciting as possible," said Megan Wright, 17, a senior at Sycamore. "As a teen, all you do is sit in a classroom and listen to lectures. And I'm the first to admit I have a short attention span, too."

First-time attendee Frank said the leaders did indeed keep things interesting while also teaching a lesson.

"I had no idea sitting in a room and listening to someone talk could be so much fun," he said.

E-mail mdowns@enquirer.com