Paul Parsons, Friday night, All programs

Paul Parsons is a professional speaker, entertainer and hypnotist. His performance, which opens NTLP on Friday evening, is designed to both relax and invigorate the audience and help set the pace for a motivating and enjoyable weekend. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin and an accomplished musician, Paul played with the Milwaukee Catholic Symphony at the age of 13. With his genuine enthusiasm and sincerity, combined with lots of audience participation, Paul guarantees a performance that is motivating, hysterically funny and amazing. Learn more about Paul Parsons

Jessica Cox – Friday, Opening Speaker
Loyola Marymount, June 24, 2011

“You have challenged us to greatness with your spirit!”  This quote, from a California High School Principal, sums up what we hope to capture when Jessica speaks at our opening program at Loyola Marymount on June 24.

Born without arms, Jessica lives a normal life using her feet the way other people use their hands. She drives her own (un-modified) car, pilots planes and was the first person without arms to get a black-belt in Tae Kwon Do.  Now, Jessica is a motivational speaker with an empowering message – how we react to the challenges we face, has a far greater impact on our lives than our physical constraints. Jessica’s entertaining stories of struggles and success provide a unique and personal insight on how best to approach a challenge and attempt to redefine the concept of possibility.

We are very excited to bring Jessica Cox to NTLP in 2011, not only because she is a great speaker and motivator, but because she is also a NTLP Alumni!  Jessica attended our Arizona program in 1999 as a high school sophomore and was impressed and motivated by all the great people she met at the program.  She is looking forward to returning to NTLP and to be once again surrounded by a great group of motivated leaders.

Chris Hadlock – Friday, Opening Speaker
Endicott College – July 14 and CSU Sacramento, July 29

What better way to celebrate our 20-Year Anniversary than to honor and celebrate our fabulous alumni who are making a difference?

Like our Alumni/Speaker Jessica Cox, Chris Hadlock also attended NTLP in 1999. Chris won our Talent Show competition with a Martial Arts Demonstration and aspired to open his own Martial Arts studio some day… and that’s only one of the dreams he has been able to accomplish.

Chris has spent his life pursuing excellence and understanding what makes people do what they do.  A third degree Black Belt, Chris completed a year-long program called the Ultimate Black Belt Test (UBBT).  We all like to think we set goals for ourselves, but how about 50,000 push ups, 50, 000 sit ups, walking 1000 miles or completing 1000 acts of kindness  – in one year?  His presentation “Life’s Not Fair!” is a talk about finding yourself, understanding your motivations, facing fears and challenging life head-on.

Chris is driven to inspire, educate and entertain teens with his humorous antics and simple, life-changing tools in a fun, entertaining way. Chris’s presentation will challenge and inspire his audience to overcome life’s struggles, break through barriers (literally!)  and enjoy the process!

Calvin Terrell, Saturday morning, All programs

Calvin Terrell is an internationally recognized authority on leadership and personal development. For over a decade, his impact on his listeners has been profound and his life has inspired millions through his “Chicken Soup for the Soul” story in the (now famous) series. Calvin has mastered the art of effective diversity training helping hundreds of schools and organizations to measurably decrease violence, hate speech, and prejudice of all kinds. Poetic and candid, Calvin opens his spirit and that of his listeners as he disarms the powers of intolerance and injustice. His efforts for students are unparalleled and Calvin’s activism has garnered him multiple awards from educational, religious, and civic organizations.

Justin Boudreau – Closing speaker
Loyola Marymount, June 24

Be YOUnique!

In 2007, Justin created and launched ” Calling for Gratitude” a campaign based on paying gratitude forward. Since its inception, thousands of people from all over the world have called the toll free gratitude hotline or posted a comment directly on the website www.callingforgratitude.com.  That’s just one of the ways Justin inspires to be YOUnique.

Justin’s keynote will provide students with lots of positive messages on how to discover one’s true self.   Topics include, accepting yourself and understanding others, deflating peer pressure, how to un-clique and Be Real, how to make the most of your dreams and most importantly, how to “choose gratitude” and embrace a life of opportunity. Dreams take time.  Get to work on your dreams!

Keith Hawkins – Closing Speaker
CSU Sacramento, July 31

Keith has dedicated his life to the human race with his work. His mission is to help make this world a place where we understand and value all people by building meaningful relationships.

Keith’s goal is to have our students leave our program feeling empowered and knowing that they  can make this world a better place. To do this they must Stand For Something. Building on the core principles of values, character and leadership Keith will help students understand that they can become effective leaders by building relationships with people and through those relationships, inspiring others to believe in them.

To follow is a choice and to lead is a gift. “What you know dies with you, what you share is immortal.”  What are you, as a leader, doing with your gift?

JOEL PENTON, Sunday, Closing Speaker
Endicott College, July 17, 2011

Sporting 5 championship rings from Ohio State, Joel Penton was a member of 3 Big Ten championship teams and a 4-time Academic All-Big Ten selection.  In his senior year, Joel received the prestigious Wuerffel Trophy, also known as the HUMANITARIAN HEISMAN. The Trophy is a national award that recognizes the one college football player in the entire country who best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement.  After graduation, Joel turned down offers to play in the NFL and has since devoted his life to helping students achieve.

From his platform as a champion, Joel brings a positive message to students that is both relevant and impactful.  Students are frequently told what NOT to do. Joel’s message is all about what TO do.  Combining humor and sincerity, Joel gives real-life examples of the rewards that result from making right choices.  His stories of personal trials and subsequent triumphs are proof that ordinary people can accomplish great things by simply following through with their commitments.