Over the past month, RISE TOGETHER has significantly deepened our commitment to creating lasting change in communities beyond the stage, specifically in communities like Jackson County, WI, and broadened our reach during the impactful 3rd Annual HER Day Event.
Igniting Youth Leadership in Jackson County
Our adventure with Jackson County’s dynamic students began last fall with specially designed leadership training aimed at empowering them to lead from the front. The initiative came to life with ‘A Night at the Middle,’ a spirited event organized by the students themselves.
It was a glow-in-the-dark-themed night complete with a DJ, glow-in-the-dark volleyball, a movie showing, face painting, and bracelet making. Students gathered under the neon lights to sign a banner, committing to ‘RISE TOGETHER’ with us while enjoying pizza and snacks. The evening started with Anthony leading a conversation on the importance of taking care of our mental health. It ended with an exciting dance-off, where the student with the most audience cheers won some RISE TOGETHER swag. It was an exciting evening that showcased the joys of connecting and celebrating without substances.
Building on this momentum, we returned last month to engage more deeply with the entire student body. Our focus was clear: dismantle the stigma around substance use and uplift conversations about mental health. The event was a vibrant demonstration of how fun and wellness can go hand-in-hand, proving that true enjoyment needs no enhancement.
Growing Our Reach at
WI HER Day
Our collaboration continued with excitement last week as we joined We EmpowHER for their 3rd Annual HER Day Event in Oshkosh, WI, in partnership with the Wisconsin Herd basketball team. This year, we proudly led the inaugural Teen Summit dedicated to teens, crafting a day filled with growth, learning, and empowerment.
The day began with an inspiring talk by our Executive Director, Nadine Machkovech, who shared her transformative journey of shedding masks and embracing authentic leadership. This introduction paved the way for professional educators Sara Mercer and Sherri Valitchka to explore the theme of authenticity further, encouraging everyone to cast aside the masks we often wear through a powerful mirror exercise.
As the atmosphere of openness flourished, teens absorbed valuable lessons from visionary leaders like Kelly Northlee and Laken James during a panel discussion that showcased stories of resilience and determination. They also had the opportunity to express themselves through professional headshots led by RISE TOGETHER’s founder, Anthony Alvarado.
The day concluded with a deeply inspiring keynote address by Amanda Kroener and a reflective exercise where teens wrote letters to their future selves, envisioning their hopes, dreams, and the paths to their realization.
Upcoming Opportunity: LIVE VIRTUAL Storytelling Workshop
Want to learn how your experiences can inspire and drive change?
Join Nadine Machkovech and Anthony Alvarado at the end of this month for our quarterly LIVE Virtual Storytelling Workshop. This interactive session will equip you with powerful storytelling essentials, helping you authentically connect and make an impactful difference.