Last month, we met Amaya—a dynamic student from Palm Desert High School—and welcomed her as a Roggin Reporter, a community voice for young people across the Coachella Valley. This week, she returned to NBC Palm Springs with her first assignment: covering the Mobius Conference, a unique arts and leadership event for local students.
Held on the Coachella festival grounds in Sunnylands, the Mobius Conference brings together over 120 high school students from across the region. Its mission? To connect students with real-world issues through the lens of art, culture, and activism.
“April is always festival season in the desert,” Amaya said. “But this time, Goldenvoice gave something back to local students by using those same grounds to create something meaningful.”
Amaya attended the “Soul Session” track—designed for student leaders and dancers—where she participated in workshops with students from Shadow Hills, Indio, and Coachella Valley High Schools. The experience blended creativity with community dialogue, including a high-energy hip hop class taught by a dancer who has performed with Ludacris and T-Pain.
Beyond the dance floor, students heard from local advocates and cultural leaders who spoke about inclusion, representation, and empowerment through the arts.
“It was such a unique experience,” Amaya shared. “As a dancer and student leader, I really felt seen. There aren’t many opportunities like this in the Valley, and it was amazing to learn and connect with so many people.”
The conference is open annually to local high school students involved in leadership, arts, or advocacy—whether they serve in student council, ASB, or school clubs.
Amaya has been busy this semester. Between starring in her school’s musical Footloose, attending the International Dance Festival, and hosting Mr. Palm Desert, she’s also preparing for AP exams and prom. But she’s already planning her next Roggin Reporter segment—keeping her eye on what matters to her and her peers across the Valley.
Explore: NBCPalmSprings.com, where we are connecting the Valley.
By: NBC Palm Springs
April 18, 2025
