Archbishop Ryan High School to Host Student L.E.A.D. Conference 2026
The one-day conference was created by Archbishop Ryan student leaders for students, centered on Civic Leadership, Ethics, Advancement, and Development.
Archbishop Ryan High School (ARHS) in Northeast Philadelphia will host Student L.E.A.D. Conference 2026. This one-day conference was created by ARHS student leaders for fellow student leaders at Archdiocesan secondary schools throughout the five-county region.
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
9:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Archbishop Ryan High School
11201 Academy Road
Philadelphia, PA 19154
Students will begin the day with a prayer service led by Deacon David McGovern, a Theology Teacher at ARHS. A keynote address will follow by Daniel Clifton, a member of the ARHS class of 2013 and Director of Community Engagement at Chick-fil-A Northeast Franchises. Daniel will speak to students about ways to foster school culture grounded in participation, voice, and accountability through civil responsibilities and building community relationships.
The day will also include interactive breakout sessions focused on
- Essential Skills for Student Leaders led by Pennsylvania State Senator Joe Picozzi;
- Civic Engagement and Leadership through Social Media led by Jennifer Bullick, Senior Manager at the Walt Disney Company; and
- Discussion on Servant Leadership and Catholic Tradition led by Reverend Jason Buck, Dean of Men at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary.
The Student L.E.A.D. Conference 2026 will conclude with students participating in a service project called LEADing with Love and Cake. Students will make Soda Cake Birthday Kits for the Germantown Community Fridge.
Through the generosity of a grant from the Sullivan Foundation, ARHS student leaders have had the opportunity to participate in several civic leadership opportunities throughout this academic year including a tour of the Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg. The Student L.E.A.D. Conference 2026 is the culmination of ARHS student leaders putting their leadership into action. The content is entirely student-driven with every theme, discussion topic, and activity to reflect the real questions, challenges, and insights ARHS students have developed through their own civic leadership journeys.
Student leaders from Archbishop Wood High School in Warminster (Bucks County); Bishop Shanahan High School in Downingtown (Chester County); Cardinal O’Hara High School in Springfield (Delaware County); Father Judge High School for Boys in Northeast Philadelphia; Monsignor Bonner & Archbishop Prendergast Catholic High School in Drexel Hill (Delaware County); Pope John Paul II High School in Royersford (Montgomery County); Roman Catholic High School in Philadelphia; Saint Hubert Catholic High School for Girls in the Holmesburg section of Philadelphia; and Saints John Neumann & Maria Goretti Catholic High School in South Philadelphia, will also participate.
Background Information on Archbishop Ryan High School
Archbishop Ryan High School empowers a diverse student body to become contributing members of the Church and society. In partnership with family and community, Archbishop Ryan strives to teach as Jesus did by providing spiritual, social, and service opportunities for growth. The faculty challenges the students of today to become leaders of tomorrow through a comprehensive curriculum rooted in excellence. For additional information about Archbishop Ryan High School, please visit archbishopryan.com/.
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Editor’s Note: For additional information about Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, please visit aopcatholicschools.org/.