'Maggie' is endorsed by the Kansas High School Activities Association.

EDMONTON, ALBERTA -- Eleven motivational speakers will speak at the Dream Big Conference for Teen Girls and Parents. Joining them will be Maggie Steele, the inspirational storybook pole-vaulter and farm girl from Grain Valley, Kansas.

The conference, on Sunday February 9th, is designed to help teen girls find role models and resources to help them achieve more than they ever thought they could. Parents also will learn how to help their daughters be successful.

Conference organizer Sheila Hordal will present multiple copies of Maggie Vaults Over the Moon at the conference, which has drawn media attention -- and an enthusiastic endorsement from the Premier of Alberta.

“This is a tremendous honor for Maggie,” Author Grant Overstake said. “For her to be lifted up as a role model at a conference dedicated to motivating teen girls is simply breathtaking.”Maggie Vaults Over the Moon has been endorsed by Olympians, Coaches, Counselors, and scores of parents like Sheila Hordal -- whose passion is helping her teen daughters and other teen girls overcome a disturbing trend.

“In the past few years it has been heartbreaking for me to witness so many girls not have a dream,” said Hordal, who, in addition to her full time job as a Registered Nurse, is a life coach who runs a motivational company called Lotza Colours.

“Teen girls are getting lost in cell phones and are wrapped up in caring too much about what others think,” Hordal added.

In the young adult novel, Maggie struggles with her identity and her future. She copes with a devastating family tragedy and finds her passion by pouring her broken heart into something that really matters to her, the challenging sport of pole-vaulting.Hordal discovered Maggie's story through her daughter, Kassandra, the reigning Canadian national youth pole-vault champion and national Under 16 record-holder.

In a review for Maggie's blog, Kassandra wrote, “Maggie is a real trooper and she taught me that anything is possible. She made me feel that I could jump higher. She taught me that you just have to keep going sometimes, even if it is hard.”

Sheila wrote her own review of Maggie:I am a Registered Nurse with background in critical care pediatrics, adults, management and education. I am a life coach and striving to be a motivational speaker. I am always looking for motivational stories to inspire others.

Maggie is a role model for all young athletes and non-athletes. She not only has a story but she is struggling to find herself in the midst of it all. Her tenacity for life and her willingness to open up, learn and cope is nothing short of incredible. Not that it was easy for her. Nothing is easy.Trying to motivate teenagers can be difficult. Teens, whether male or female, have a trying time trying to figure out their place in the world, away from parents, influenced by outsiders, the environment, the Internet, and hormones.

Dream Big Conference organizer Sheila Hordal and her daughters, left, and Kassandra.

Maggie is struggling with a major event in her life that directly influences her coping ability. Her attitude and pain turns over time with support, hard work and perseverance. She uses the sport of pole-vaulting to move her forward. Totally fitting I would think.

Maggie shows that perseverance does work. That working hard and being honest with yourself does work. Finding what you believe in and staying true to your values does work. Leaning on others for help and finding ways to cope with stressful events does work. Read the book, you will see what I mean. I did not want to put it down.Thank you, Grant, for an exciting and wonderful book to motivate our youth.

To which Overstake says, “Thank you, Sheila, for a wonderful honor and tribute, and for what you're doing through the Dream Big Conference, to motivate teen girls over the moon.”Maggie Vaults Over the Moon is available in paperback and eBook can be purchased through Amazon.com in Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, France, and Italy. Maggie also is available at Barnes & Noble, IndieBound, and Australia’s premier bookseller, Angus & Robertson.

Maggie to Inspire Teens at 'Dream Big Conference'