The CGTI Mid-Year Conference was held January 17–18, 2026, at the Marriott Hotel & Conference Center, bringing together CGTI students and mentors for leadership workshops, team-building activities, and progress check-ins on their action plans.
The Mid‑Year Conference, held this year on January 17–18, 2026, at the Marriott Hotel & Conference Center, served as a checkpoint for students from the previous summer’s CGTI program. Participants reconnected with peers and mentors, attended workshops tailored to leadership skills, and updated or expanded their action plans. The conference also featured team‑building activities, a celebration dance, and opportunities for students and adult mentors to earn service hours or continue education units.
The Mid-Year Conference included a keynote address by Dr. Laura Rizo, a nationally recognized youth motivational speaker and social-emotional learning expert. Rizo draws from her own experiences with adversity, including overcoming poverty, identity challenges, and mental health struggles, to connect authentically with young people and inspire them to embrace resilience and self-worth. A former teacher and school counselor with more than 20 years mentoring youth, Rizo now travels the country sharing powerful, evidence-based strategies for emotional well-being, authentic leadership, and positive life choices.
“I see CGTI shaping future leaders in Illinois by influencing healthy risks, such as getting out of your comfort zone and allowing teens to feel a sense of vulnerability and self-reflection about how they can facilitate small groups and lead with purpose and mission instead of self-serving goals, ultimately leading to a new generation of leaders who carry out the same passion and mission,” said Mckell Mazzacano, a leader of Schaumburg High School’s Snowball Club.
“Our Mid-Year Conference really helps us take what we learned over the summer and put it into action. The workshops and keynotes give us tools and ideas for leadership throughout the school, and many ideas to bring back to Snowball. We work together through discussions and reflection and make real plans for how we can make a difference in our school, Snowball team, and community,” said Brie Freil, another leader for the Snowball Club.
“The biggest lesson I hope students take away from Mid-Year is that they are not alone and that their voices truly matter. So many students walk in carrying things they’ve never said out loud, and this conference gives them the space to feel seen, heard, and supported for exactly who they are. When you lead with honesty, empathy, and genuine connection, the impact lasts far beyond the conference itself,” added Victoria Conde, Snowball director and 2nd year Ambassador for CGTI.
As the Mid-Year Conference concluded, students left with new skills, confidence, and a commitment to making a difference in their communities. CGTI showed that with guidance and opportunities, young people can become effective leaders and advocates for positive change. Each conference strengthens a generation of teens ready to take on challenges and create meaningful impact.
In fact, many former Operation Snowball leaders from SHS continue to serve in volunteer staff roles at CGTI beyond graduation. Currently, there are five former Saxons actively involved in both CGTI Mid-Year programming and the summer CGTI Conference. Over the past 16 years, Snowball has had more than 30 Saxons volunteer beyond their time at Schaumburg. In CGTI circles, it’s known as The Schaumburg Legacy.
“Attending a CGTI conference offers students an opportunity to meet other leaders from around the state and other parts of the country and world (there is a Snowball chapter based in Belfast, Ireland!). We embrace the notion that ‘If I can impact someone in a positive way, and they can impact someone else in a positive way, then we can build momentum for positive change much the same way a snowball grows!’ remarked Mr. Swolsky, the sponsor of the Snowball Club.
