Eight Sanford students and two staff members recently traveled to Camden-Rockland, Maine, to participate in the 39th Annual Camden Conference. The conference is a prestigious, nationally recognized event that brings together global leaders, journalists, and policy experts for three days of thoughtful discussion and learning. This year’s theme was Today’s Middle East: Power, Politics, Players. Representing Sanford were: Alexandra Herring, Alivia Caudill, Elizabeth Hylton, Liana Viroch, Owen Westerlund, Thalinda Hengthal, Ax Courtney, and Afia Amoakonene. The group was accompanied by staff members Heidi Whitney and Kelly Jewell. This year, 16 high schools from across Maine participated, along with 5 colleges and universities — as well as members of the general public, who always welcome the fresh perspective that young people bring to the conversation. The conference was moderated by NPR’s Meghna Chakrabarti, and the keynote address was delivered by Vali Nasr — a Johns Hopkins professor, former Senior Advisor to Ambassador Holbrooke, and accomplished author. On Friday evening, Professor Nasr opened the conference with a compelling talk on the connections and history of conflict in the Middle East. Over the course of the weekend, Ms. Chakrabarti led a distinguished group of speakers — including journalist Robyn Wright, Ambassador Jeffery Feltman, and Professor Omar Dajani — on a journey through the modern Middle East, with special focus on Iran, Israel, Syria, and Libya. Each presentation was followed by a lively question-and-answer session with the audience. Sanford students had thoughtful questions ready, and several were eager to participate — with Mrs. Whitney’s question making it to the floor! The weekend wrapped up with a panel discussion that left attendees with both deep concern and genuine hope for the region’s future.

Sanford Students Attend 39th Annual Camden Conference

Sanford School Department

March 9, 2026

Eight Sanford students and two staff members recently traveled to Camden-Rockland, Maine, to participate in the 39th Annual Camden Conference.

The conference is a prestigious, nationally recognized event that brings together global leaders, journalists, and policy experts for three days of thoughtful discussion and learning. This year’s theme was Today’s Middle East: Power, Politics, Players.

Representing Sanford were: Alexandra Herring, Alivia Caudill, Elizabeth Hylton, Liana Viroch, Owen Westerlund, Thalinda Hengthal, Ax Courtney, and Afia Amoakonene. The group was accompanied by staff members Heidi Whitney and Kelly Jewell.

This year, 16 high schools from across Maine participated, along with 5 colleges and universities — as well as members of the general public, who always welcome the fresh perspective that young people bring to the conversation.

The conference was moderated by NPR’s Meghna Chakrabarti, and the keynote address was delivered by Vali Nasr — a Johns Hopkins professor, former Senior Advisor to Ambassador Holbrooke, and accomplished author. On Friday evening, Professor Nasr opened the conference with a compelling talk on the connections and history of conflict in the Middle East.

Over the course of the weekend, Ms. Chakrabarti led a distinguished group of speakers, including journalist Robyn Wright, Ambassador Jeffery Feltman, and Professor Omar Dajani.

Each presentation was followed by a lively question-and-answer session with the audience. Sanford students had thoughtful questions ready, and several were eager to participate, with Mrs. Whitney’s question making it to the floor! The weekend wrapped up with a panel discussion that left attendees with both deep concern and genuine hope for the region’s future.