Idaho State University is sailing into uncharted territories, holding perhaps one of the biggest sleepovers last Saturday night for the next generation of leaders.

Fifty young women from various high schools throughout eastern Idaho were chosen through a competitive leadership application to attend the first ever women's leadership summit at Idaho State University.  The free overnight summit is sponsored by the Anderson Gender Resource Center. It highlights women in leadership roles, non-traditional careers, and college preparation.

Stacey Hill-Coates, Idaho Falls Hillcrest High School Student: "Ya know, when you're sitting in high school, there's girls that, 'oh, I don't want to go to college, or I don't want to do this.' But seeing the girls here and knowing that they're motivated to go on and have successful careers, it's really just inspiring."

Heidi Harold, Women's Leadership Summit Counselor: "I think this is a great opportunity to show these girls that we're aware of their presence, that we believe in them, that we're encouraging of them, and we're here for them."

The conference organizers hope to increase the number of young women who are actively involved in community leadership and encourage girls to explore new career and leadership opportunities.

The Anderson Gender Resource Center hopes to see the summit continue next year, but it depends on grants and funding available. This year was funded by the American Association of University Women.

Heidi Harold: "It was really important to us to try to bring a really large diverse crowd out and girls from all over the spectrum really."

Stacey Hill-Coates: "I met a ton of girls that I probably never would have met before and we just had amazing times doing these awesome sessions where you learn about different classes you can take, minors and majors."

The Anderson Gender Resource Center wants to continue on with the program, but organizers say it all depends on grants and available monetary support.

This year it was generously funded by a campus action grant through the American Association of University Women.