Teens take part in the centipede ski, an activity that teaches teamwork, at last weekend's Rotary Outstanding Vocational Award conference at McKeever Environmental Center in Sandy Lake, Mercer County. About 80 vocational-technical students, including 21 from Butler County, were involved in leadership and team-building activities. Vo-tech students were chosen by their school guidance counselors to attend the two-day event, which was sponsored by the Rotary Club.

SANDY LAKE, Mercer County — Do you know how to do the blind amoeba or electric spider web?

They're not the latest dance crazes but activities to build leadership. About 80 vocational students became experts in them during a conference this past weekend at McKeever Environmental Center in Sandy Lake.

The Rotary Outstanding Vocational Award conference was sponsored by the Rotary Club.

More students from Butler County, a total of 21, attended than ever before, according to Skip Sample, organizer of the annual event and member of the Butler Rotary Club. Students come from northwestern Pennsylvania and represent various vo-tech programs, she said.

The theme of the third annual conference was "Lead the Way." Students spent Sunday and Monday at McKeever involved in leadership and team-building activities.

Vocational students who are recognized for their leadership potential are chosen by their school guidance counselors to attend the conference, according to Sample.

"All the programs that recognize students are based on academic and college oriented students," she said. "There is nothing that recognizes vocational students with leadership."

The program, designed for juniors, gives self-confidence and leadership skills that students can take back with them to their schools and use, she said.

Joyce Holzheiser, a guidance counselor at the Butler County Vocational-Technical School, called the conference a "wonderful opportunity," for students. The program draws students from throughout the region as long as a Rotary club is involved.

"We're lucky to have that many Rotarians who care about kids," she said.

Samantha Blackwell, a culinary arts student at the vo-tech, said she learned how to step out of her comfort zone at the conference. To become a leader, that's one of the first things you need to do, she said.

"You need to step up to the plate," she said. "Don't be afraid to show what you think."

Abby Flick, a vo-tech student in the health assistant field, enjoyed meeting new people at the conference. She said she would recommend the experience to younger students.

"I learned a lot about myself," she said. "It's alright to be shy sometimes but you need to work with others eventually."

Eric Farmer, an auto tech student, said he learned "how to take control if you want something done."

The weekend was definitely worthwhile, he said.

Students took part in activities such as a trust fall, where one student falls backward and lets another one catch him. Other events, like the human knot or centipede skis, taught students to work together as a team.

The weekend also included a hypnotist who performed a show Saturday night.