Applications for Junior Leadership Academy

Heritage Middle School PTSA has application forms available for any student and their parents who are interested in participating in the Junior Leadership Academy. Deadline for Heritage students only is November 5th. If you are interested, please email Karen Wivell at kwivell2000@yahoo.com and the application will be sent to you. Information on the program is below.

Leadership Lake County was founded in 1986 by a prominent group of community leaders to ensure a continued legacy of committed, diverse, and well informed leaders in Lake County. Our graduates run for political office, champion causes, mentor youth, promote the arts and have been recognized and honored for their business successes and community service. In 1996 Leadership Lake County launched a Youth Program. This unique opportunity allowed high school juniors a behind the scenes look at Lake County.
Leadership Lake County expanded its programming with the development of the Junior Leadership Academy. Sixth grade students meet one Saturday a month over a five month period learning about Lake County and developing their leadership skills.

The goals for Leadership Junior Leadership Academy include:
• Students will identify a career in which they are interested, research the requirements for pursuing that career, and determine the action steps they would need to take to get there. “Action Steps” may include: Increased performance in science if he or she is interested in medicine, increased school attendance, improved performance on the proficiency test in the area most related to the career, etc.
• Students will set a personal or academic goal, with the help of a student mentor (LLC Youth Alumni), and be able to form an action plan for achieving the identified goal.
• Students and parents will have an increased awareness of educational opportunities in the area via guest speakers and on site visits.
• Students and parents will be able to identify financial strategies for college planning.
• Students will be able to develop skills necessary for any career development including but not limited to: goal setting, problem solving, communication, working with others, and organization.
• Students will get an opportunity to evaluate different career opportunities.

Each day takes place at a location related to the theme for the day. Students will participate in a series of experiential activities built around the day’s theme. Each program day is led by Mrs. Petro, Youth Program Coordinator at Leadership Lake County, and is assisted in the facilitation by Rae Grady, Education Coordinator at Crossroads, and Adult Leadership Alumni. The students work in small groups led by high school juniors and seniors that have participated in the high school Leadership Lake County Youth Program.

Each day starts at 8:30 am and ends at 12:00.

Student Requirements:
In order to participate in this program, students must do the following:

• Attend all sessions (only one absence is allowed).
• Maintain a reflection/ journal log.
• Participate in all group activities.
• Come to each program day dressed appropriately. (Wear the shirt provided).
• Display appropriate behavior - be respectful of speakers and other students.

Cost:
There is a $75 fee for this program. This fee helps to pay for food and materials. Financial assistance is available. Tuition is not to be submitted with the application. Parents will be invoiced for the tuition along with the acceptance letter.

Selection:
We are capable of selecting 40 students for the JLA Class 2011. Selection is based on application criteria, demographics (equal selection amongst schools), and male-female ratio. Only applications turned in by the deadline will be considered.

All forms are due into the Leadership Lake County offices by November 5th for Heritage Middle School students only.
Students will receive notice of their acceptance in mid-November.

Any questions can be directed to Elizabeth Petro at Leadership Lake County or youth@leadershiplakecounty.org (440-352-7520)

Junior Leadership Academy Schedule 2010-2011

December 4, 2010
Opening Retreat
The goal of this 3 hour session is for students and facilitators to get acquainted, develop group team-building skills, and explore leadership dynamics.

January 15, 2011
Theme: Goal Setting
Students will identify the career that they are most interested to research. Counselors from Lakeland Community College will talk to students about what they can do now and in the future to prepare for a career. Students will then set a personal or academic goal they would like to pursue (ex. Improved grades, develop better communication skills). Adult facilitators and high school student mentors will help the students develop an action plan to complete that goal.

February 19, 2011
Theme: Communication
The experiential learning activities on this day will help students to identify and improve communication skills. Students will also get a look at careers involving communication skills.

March 19, 2011
Theme: Problem Solving
Students will participate in hands-on-activities designed to develop problem solving skills. They will then identify “problems” that may keep them from meeting their goal and brainstorm ways to solve that problem. Students will visit various career professionals to see problem solving in action.

April 16, 2011
Theme: Working with Others
This day has proven to be one of the most worthwhile experiences of the entire program. This day involves having the students work with other people to offer a service to others. This can include a community service project with other student groups, helping the elderly at Breckenridge Village, or working with the clients at the Lake County Board of MR/DD.

May 16, 2011
Leadership in Action
*Optional full day session. Students must be excused from school to attend.
The final program day is a full day of on-site visits to locations that are not available to us on Saturdays. The site visits are designed based on the interests of the students. These can include, but are not limited to: the courthouse, the hospital, a construction company, or an animal rehabilitation center. Students will have the opportunity to meet with professionals in various fields. The professionals will talk to students about their career and answer questions from the students. The day ends with a graduation “party” for the students and parents.