Sydney Gstettenbauer, a 2004 Ventura High School graduate and currently a Junior at University of California, San Diego (UCSD)was selected by the University and the NCAA to represent the La Jolla CA campus at the NCAA's upcoming National Leadership Conference for Student-Athletes. Gstettenbauer was selected by the University from over 400 student-athletes at UCSD. She has been a member of the UCSD Tritons Women's Water polo Team for the last three years. She had a very successful season, including being named First Team All American, as well as, an Academic All American.She is an active member of the Triton Athletes Council (TAC). The TAC provides a voice for Student-Athletes at the University, and provides an opportunity for the student-athletes to contribute to the community.

She, along with 325 of the top student-athletes from around the country, represened their University at the conference that was held in Orlando, FL from the 26th of May through June 1st.

As a result of participation, student-athletes will enhance their communication skills, decision-making and problem-solving skills, critical-thinking skills and collaborative skills. The conference also promotes better communication among student-athletes, coaches, administrators, faculty and communities. Topics for past conferences have included developing leadership skills; changing perception; developing political skills and utilizing the student-athlete committee. The five-day leadership conference consists of daily exercises and activities to help the student-athletes develop as individuals and as contributing members to a group.

The conference is an outreach of the successful CHAMPS/Life Skills Program and involves close to 325 student-athletes each year who compete in fall, winter and spring sports in Divisions I, II and III. Many of the student-athletes who participate are members of their conference and campus Student-Athlete Advisory Committees (SAACs). Each NCAA member institution that has a CHAMPS/Life Skills Program is encouraged to nominate student-athletes from their campus for the annual leadership conference.