Empower: to encourage and support the ability to do something.

Approximately 1,000 middle school students and chaperones from across Wisconsin made their way to the Resch Expo in Ashwaubenon on Thursday, Jan. 16, to attend "Empower" — a leadership event aimed at inspiring students to be their best selves and create positive changes in their communities.

Now in its 11th year, the free, day-long event included a variety of speakers and activities, along with T-shirts and lunch for all participants, fully funded by the Packers.

Darryl Bellamy Jr., founder of Fearless Inside, a youth motivational movement encouraging students to change how they react and respond to ever-changing worries and fears, opened the programming with an interactive keynote presentation. He invited students to let go of their fears by writing them down on a sheet of paper and then placing it in a model fire pit. Throughout the presentation, Bellamy encouraged attendees "not to be fearless, but to fear a little less."

"The speaker was great," said Weyauwega-Fremont Middle School and High School assistant principal Abby Poliak of Bellamy. "He really engaged in getting them up and moving and repeating. I think it was really good, especially for this age group."

Poliak and a fellow chaperone brought 14 students to Empower. It was the school's first time attending the leadership event.

"There's not as many middle school events like this; a lot of times this is geared toward high school, so we wanted to give that opportunity to our middle schoolers," she said.

Packers community relations manager Amanda Wery, who plans the event each year, emphasized the intentionality of inviting middle-school-aged students.

"We found that over the years, really starting as young as we can is important," she said. "We see the different things that they're having to face and say, 'We hear you, we see you, we know you have the power,' and really give them some of the tools to move forward and be that positive change in the community."

Following the keynote, students split up into groups and rotated between three breakout sessions. In one, they heard from Packers alumni Scott Wells and Earl Dotson. The Super Bowl champs spoke at length about the toll social media has on mental health, challenging students to stop seeking validation from popular online platforms and instead, be present in real life.

"What we're encouraging you guys to do is put your phone down at some point in time and start having real conversations with one another instead of social media conversations with people you don't even know," Wells said. "Start getting to know the people in your community. Start interacting with one another.... Start really dialing in, so when you have that person in your class that is struggling, they don't feel alone. They know they have someone that sees them, cares for them and is there for them. And the same for you. If you're the one struggling, it's a lot better to have someone come to you – and see you're struggling because they see you, they see the change, they can read your face and they take a vested interest in your life – than it is for [you] to have to reach out to someone else."

The alumni admitted they get nervous speaking to large groups, but addressing Empower attendees was important to them. Wells, who became a teacher after his professional football career, said he wanted to speak with the students because he sees the pressures they face and wants to encourage them.

Dotson acknowledged he was always a quiet, introverted kid, but candidly shared with the students he began to push himself out of his comfort zone and speak about mental health after his son took his own life in March 2022. Involved in a variety of nonprofit efforts, Dotson recently co-founded a foundation, A Tale of Two Sons, to promote mental health awareness and suicide prevention. "I'm [here today] because I lost my son to suicide. I feel like I didn't do enough while he was living, so I'm trying to help kids that I can help now," he said.

Dotson assured the students that all people – even NFL players – experience challenges, and encouraged Empower attendees to speak to someone when they're struggling.

After hearing from the alumni, students had the opportunity to ask them questions, which ranged from "What's your bench press PR?" to "What helped set you apart in high school and college to make it to the NFL?" and "Were you guys in Madden?"

In another breakout session, students packed care kits to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities Eastern Wisconsin.

For Amanda Joly, a chaperone with a group of students from Clarke Street School in Milwaukee, the hands-on activity was especially touching.

"When my son was born – he's now 15 – he was not breathing, so we actually had to stay at the Ronald McDonald House for two weeks. So, I know what it does for people and families," she said.

Joly shared with her group how impactful volunteer work, like the activity they participated in, can be.

"I told them we're blessed. Everybody's not that blessed. You gotta help out when you can. It's important," Joly said.

The final breakout session brought students across the street to 1265 Lombardi Ave. for the opportunity to experience the excitement of walking through the tunnel to see Lambeau Field.

Jeason Thomas, manager of engagement and attendance at Franklin Middle School in Green Bay, has been bringing students to Empower for five years. He said the event continues to offer middle schoolers exactly what the Packers hope attendees take away from the day.

"It's a great opportunity for our young leaders of tomorrow to see opportunities they can do to help in the community, enhance their leadership skills and meet and see other students in the same mind frame as them," Thomas said.

Empower is part of Green Bay Packers Give Back, the team's all-encompassing community outreach initiative that includes the Green Bay Packers Foundation, appearances made by players/alumni/coaches/staff, football outreach, cash and in-kind donations, Make-A-Wish visits and community events. The annual overall charitable impact of Packers Give Back exceeds $13 million. Click here to learn more about the Packers' community outreach initiatives.