RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- High school students from across the commonwealth filled the Richmond Convention Center on Saturday, March 22 for the 3rd annual Teen Summit RVA. The summit is a high school leadership experience designed by teens, for teens. A product of several different collaborations bet ween various cities and counties in the greater Richmond area and sponsored by multiple organizations -- Saturday was spent looking towards the future. Teen Summit RVA 2025 (Nikkita Tyler, 8News) "It is for you, by you, Teen Summit RVA," said Monica Smith-Callahan, deputy county manager for community affairs in Henrico County. "It is Richmond, right. Hanover. Chesterfield. We have students as far as Charlottesville -- I'm from Petersburg -- [and] New King Charles City." Virginia high school students had the chance to pick three interactive experience throughout the day to participate in -- from agriculture and innovation to an entrepreneurship panel on big dreams and the public safety sector and more. Teen Summit RVA 2025 (Nikkita Tyler, 8News)Teen Summit RVA 2025 (Nikkita Tyler, 8News) Smith-Callahan said that the event debuted after seeing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. "We were seeing violence in our streets, violence in our schools," Smith-Callahan said. "It was just an opportunity to bring young people not just from one locality, but from each of our jurisdictions in the region, for an opportunity to talk about issues and topics that matter to them," This year's theme was titled "Our Vision" -- providing the 9th through 12th graders with various avenues of career exploration. Teen Summit RVA 2025 (Nikkita Tyler, 8News)Teen Summit RVA 2025 (Nikkita Tyler, 8News)Teen Summit RVA 2025 (Nikkita Tyler, 8News) "You could tour a culinary experience here at the convention center in their industrial size kitchen. You could learn about agriculture. You can learn about the racetrack and Richmond Raceway," Smith-Callahan said. While acknowledging that plans may change in life, these teens had the chance to document their starting point on a physical board with this year's summit theme. Students were also able to receive community service hours for participating in this event. For more information about the summit and future events, click here. Teen Summit RVA 2025 (Nikkita Tyler, 8News) ...read more read less