Some of the greatest leaders of the Coachella Valley — including some La Quinta High School students — gathered for a daylong conference last week at the Miramonte Resort & Spa in Indian Wells.

The leaders, all of them women, attended the conference themed “Leading With Optimism — Looking Forward.”

To help the event run smoothly, the Young Women Ambassadors of the Coachella Valley gathered at 7:30 a.m. to help set up, prepare and greet the many women of the valley who attended, including Women's Leader Forum President Christy Majors and local television host Patti Gribow.

Who exactly are these Young Women Ambassadors, and how are they chosen? From each high school in the valley, up to five girls are selected by an administrator or school leader who determines who would best represent and lead their school.

The representatives chosen this year for La Quinta High School are seniors Brittany Boiko, Katherine Dickerson and Alexis Roberts, and junior Aly Norbloom.

This is each girl's second year of being a part of the time-consuming but extremely rewarding organization.

The 2009 Leadership Conference at the Miramonte had speakers such as William K. Larkin, a neurologist whose seminar was titled “Growing the Positive Mind.”

Larkin had a roomful of professional women up on their feet, “throwing away” their problems and shaking off their worries with dance moves.

Other speakers included Mary Marcdante, Gribow, Jasenka Sabonovic, Majors, Reesa Manning, Mimi Donaldson and Katie Finn Coleman.

The day was led with ease and class while sticking to a very exact and organized schedule, mirroring most of the women's lives.

The day was separated by a lunch and special awards presentation. This was many of the girls' favorite part because of who received the Lifetime Achievement Award.

“Jane Treacy has always been so generous to us these past two years,” Alexis said. “She has opened her home numerous times for special events as well as sleep-overs for many high school girls, and she never seems to have a care in the world.

“All of the ambassadors were happy to see our leader and mentor Jane Treacy win the special award.”

The day was a success for both the Women's Leader Forum as well as the Young Women Ambassadors.

The ambassadors of LQHS are prepared for a busy year and are hoping to reap great success for the Blackhawks just like last year, taking home the trophy for the annual Trophy Competition.