Youth Seminar Schedule 2025
2024 CHET-SE Youth Seminar
March 21, 2025
Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. Proverbs 16:3
Click here for the Schedule Chart!
Keynote: “What are you living for?” Matthew Merrill
What are you living for? Too often, we’re just going through the motions – working, studying, or zoning out to He has prepared for us. So what does that mean for our lives, especially when making big decisions or choosing a career? This discussion will explore the role of prayer and spiritual disciplines in guiding us toward purpose and clarity in life’s most important choices.
Matt Merrill is recognized for his passion for prayer, strategic approach to cross-sector collaboration, and dedication to connecting Christians with culture. He has served on numerous boards focused on both local and international community development. Currently, he is the Advancement Director for Voices for the Voiceless, a national pro-life innovation lab dedicated to launching leaders and ideas that make motherhood more valued within culture and institutions. With over 15 years of experience in social service nonprofits, Matt is also a certified leadership coach. Matt lives in Tucson with his wife, Alia, and their two sons, Asher and Judah.
Session 1: 10:05 – 10:45
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Voice, Vocabulary, Verbs, and Vibes: The Magic of Speech-Language Pathology
Have you ever wondered how children develop speech and language, why some people struggle to understand or express ideas, or how medical conditions can complicate communication that used to come so naturally? This engaging course will introduce you to the fascinating world of Speech-Language Pathology – a career that blends science, healthcare, and education to help people of all ages to find their “voice,” communicate with confidence, and thrive despite the communication challenges that life can bring.
Maren Carter, MS, CCC-SLP is a crazy lady, wife, mother, Christian, hiker, dog lover, and Speech-Language Pathologist who cannot wait to try to convince you that her career field is the best out there! - Turning Point USA: Our Mission, Impact, and How You Can Get Involved
Turning Point USA is one of the fastest-growing youth movements in America, dedicated to promoting freedom, limited government, and free markets on high school and college campuses. Whether you’re passionate about defending freedom, educating your peers, or simply looking for a community of like-minded individuals there’s a place for you in TPUSA. Learn how to start or grow a chapter, gain leadership opportunities, and make a real difference in your school and beyond. Get ready to take action and be part of the movement shaping the future!
Kate Bieber has been with Turning Point USA for 7 months. She graduated from Gonzaga University in Washington with a degree in Communications and marketing. When she discovered TPUSA, she knew it was exactly where she wanted to be. Their mission and values align with what she is passionate about, and she’s proud to be part of a team fighting for what matters.
- Flower-Arranging
You will learn flower-arranging tips and will take home a beautiful flower arrangement that you have made.
Kelly Bradley homeschooled her 4 children from Kindergarten through high school. Her kids all enjoyed the CHET-SE Youth Seminar, and she is happy to participate this year.
- Southwest Gas – Properties of Natural Gas
This is a demonstration of some key features of natural gas and why it is safe to use in homes and businesses. The first half of the session will be in the classroom and the last half will be outside learning about their Emergency Response Vehicle. The presenters are part of our Customer Service department.
Art Lason is a Southwest Gas Service Supervisor with 30 years in the industry.
Session 2: 10:55 – 11:35
- Mechanical and Civil Engineering
Explore the differences and similarities between Mechanical and Civil Engineering with respect to the required classes and schooling options, along with what each job looks like on a day-to-day basis.
Shawn Duerkop received his Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering from South Dakota School of Mines & Technology in Rapid City, South Dakota. He’s worked as a mechanical engineer at Raytheon since moving to Tucson 24 years ago. Andrea Duerkop received her Bachelor's in Civil Engineering from the same college, and worked in the small business/private engineering sector for several years before becoming a stay-at-home/homeschooling mom. They’re the parents of two boys, one who graduated with CHET-SE last year and one who’s set to graduate with CHET-SE in 2026.
- Writing as a Young Adult and Self-Publishing
Overview of the writing and self-publishing process for young writers
Jasmine Bird was homeschooled from 2nd grade through graduation in 2023 and was a member of CHET-SE. In 2019, during her freshman year of high school, she started her journey of writing. She wrote her first novel – My Country Roots – her sophomore year of high school, and has since self-published under the pen name Kathryn Hawke. Her passion behind writing is creating deep, meaningful stories that do not compromise on values. While she is still writing and working on her second novel, she is also a full time 3rd and 4th grade teacher and High School Latin instructor at a Classical Christian School in Sonoita called Crossroads Christian Academy.
- Paper Crafting
Create a 3D flower wall-hanging out of paper
Bethany Kerns is a 2018 CHET-SE graduate. She shares her love of all things creative by teaching music, dance, or crafting any chance she can. Bethany works as the Worship Arts Coordinator at Christ Community Church and is a music teacher at Family Life Academy.
- Park Ranger
George Graham is a senior ranger with the Arizona State Parks and Trails. He will speak about his career as a ranger with Arizona State Parks.
Session 3: 11:45 – 12:25
- Music School Owner and Teacher
Kirk Feagin has owned a music school called Feagin’s Fretboard for almost 16 years. He has taught guitar at Desert Christian School for almost 3 years.
- Pharmacy, Healthcare Careers, and the United States Public Health Service
Overview of the role of pharmacists in healthcare, the career opportunities as a pharmacist, and a career in the Health services.
Daniel Boyle is a licensed pharmacist in Arizona. He has a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Rhode Island and a Masters Degree in Legal Studies from ASU.
- What is Down Syndrome and how to include people who are different than you.
Down Syndrome is the most common genetic anomaly. Brianne McIntyre will introduce you to what it is, how people with Down Syndrome are different, how they are the same, and how we can include people with differences. Bethany Kerns will also be telling students about a training she has received to be a caregiver/companion for children with disabilities.
- Cookie Decorating
Learn different techniques using royal icing to decorate sugar cookies.
Kelly Bradley homeschooled her 4 children from Kindergarten through high school. Her kids all enjoyed the CHET-SE Youth Seminar, and she is happy to participate this year.
Session 4: 1:15 – 1:55
- Veterinarian Technician
What is involved in Veterinary Medicine, how to become a Veterinarian Technician, and what they do.
Colleen Roberson is a certified veterinary technician with over 30 years in the profession. She loves to teach new assistants what is involved in this field.
- Law Enforcement Career
Requirements and expectations relating to a career in law enforcement from a personal perspective.
David J. Bernal served 37 years as a Kansas City, Missouri Police Officer and as a US Federal Special (FBI) Agent
- Personal Trainer/Fitness
Ben Busarow will be leading a fitness class.
- Hands-On Stem – Index Card Towers
Students will work in teams of 3-4 to build the tallest free-standing tower they can with index cards and tape. Students will briefly walk through the engineering process, collaborate, plan, and test their creations.
Allison Breuker has been a homeschooling mom and member of CHET-SE for the past 10 years. She teaches several science classes at CHET-SE’s homeschool co-op as well as being lead coach for the squirrels in PE. She loves learning and teaching people of all ages. Prior to homeschooling, she taught 1st grade in Tucson. She enjoys reading and hanging out with her family in her free time.
Session 5: 2:05 – 2:45
- Ethnos 360
Mission Aviation
- High School Timetable
In this session, we will take a big picture look at the “what to do and when” of the high school years. We will touch on topics such as study skills, tests, and the college search process, as well as life skills, career exploration and extracurriculars – and consider where they fit into the overall calendar of high school. Includes a worksheet and a handout of resources for further investigation.
Lori Denst and her husband homeschooled their 2 sons for 12 years, through high school graduation. Since then Lori has taught homeschool co-op classes and has led info sessions for parents on a variety of homeschooling high school and college prep topics. She has also led career exploration sessions for students, including a 150-student workshop at a past AFHE Convention in Phoenix.
- Hands of Hope
Joanie Hammond is the CEO for Hands of Hope Tucson and has been in the pro-life fight for the past 35 years.
- STEM Project
Description to come!
Session 6: 3:00 – 3:45
Closing Keynote: Wildlife Expert
Marc Hammond has been a wildlife relocator for over 40 years. His business, Animal Experts, traps and humanely relocates nuisance wildlife. They also do snake-bite prevention training for dogs.