The Northport High School LEAD classes recently completed the 37th annual ISSUE conference. Under the direction of social studies teachers Cynthia Porciello and Kerry Boyd, LEAD students hosted 20 performances of original, student-written plays confronting issues of social significance to teenagers today. Topics this year included body image, depression, verbal abuse, and vaping.

Two evening performances for family members and friends were hosted in early April, as well as school day presentations in the high school’s Little Theater.

LEAD students are committed to using theater and peer education to create awareness of important social concerns, and the annual ISSUE conference is a highlight of the program.

“The annual ISSUE conference is a powerful and meaningful event that creates awareness and dialog around important social issues,” said social studies teacher David Scott.