The Youth Leadership Academy was developed in 2002 out of the desire of Huntington County Leadership, Inc. to expand its educational efforts to empower youth to become creative and positive influences in their community. This leadership program is a countywide collaborative effort involving local community leaders and partners. The first youth academy began in the fall of 2002 and graduation was held in March of 2003. Since its inception, this program has provided 84 youth of Huntington the strengths to foster leadership and community service as young leaders.
The Youth Leadership Academy is an arm of the Huntington County Leadership, Inc. Huntington County Leadership was founded to develop informed, motivated citizens who will help the county meet tomorrow’s challenges. Our mission is to discover and develop a diverse group of citizens dedicated to maintaining and improving the quality of life in Huntington County. Our goals include:
- Identify potential community members and help them expand their leadership skills.
- Make future leaders aware of the county’s promise, its problems, and the complex inter-relationships of these factors.
- Provide a forum for participants to meet today’s community leaders, who will provide valuable background and informed perspectives on issues facing Huntington County.
- Focus on local problems –solving, using local resources.
- Enable participants to create a network of peer, mentor and business relationships, and stimulate a lifelong appreciation for community service.
The Huntington County Leadership Academy offers students solutions to the fast-paced, ever-changing needs of business and industry in the 21st century. Because leadership emerges from all parts of the community, Huntington County Leadership strives to involve a broad cross-section of occupations and interests among its participants.
As many as 30 participants will be selected for each Academy. Individuals may apply for consideration or businesses may sponsor a candidate. Upon notification of their nomination, the students are given the opportunity to explore the schedule and then make a commitment to the program. There is a nominal registration fee, which is used to purchase a custom sweatshirt for the student after the retreat session and also a $50 savings bond for the student received at graduation.
