CLICK HERE FOR 2012-13 LEADERSHIP LEXINGTON YOUTH PROGRAM APPLICATION; APPLICATIONS DUE MARCH 19, 2012
MISSION: Our mission is to prepare diverse individuals for leadership through education and hands-on interaction, touching upon issues and resources pertaining to our community. The program will motivate the students to think seriously about the role they’d like to play and the difference they can make in the Lexington community.
ELIGIBILITY: This unique opportunity is for 11th grade students enrolled in Fayette County Schools (private, parochial and public). Home schoolers are encouraged to apply as well. In March, our application and selection time, students who are currently sophomores are encouraged to apply for the upcoming school year that will begin in August, making them Juniors at that time.
STRUCTURE: Applications are available on the website and at schools (call 226-1610 for specific school contact) in March. Applications are due March 19th. Deadline of March 19th is firm. This competitive process includes the written application as well as a personal interview which is held in April.
The program will begin with a September orientation devised as a training, networking and teambuilding session followed by seven sessions and concludes with a graduation luncheon including parents in April. Program dates and session topics include Health and Human Services, Public Safety and Government, Midyear (training and business shadowing), Higher Education and Career Development, Arts and Media, and Economy. Orientation and day sessions run 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. are held on the first Wednesday of the month during regular school days. Attendance at all sessions is required unless there is an excused absence from parents and school counselor. Students are excused from school during day sessions but continue to be responsible for all their regular classroom work.
COST: This 8 month program has a tuition fee of $225. The fee assists with covering the cost of charter transportation, lunch and snacks throughout the program year. If this cost poses a challenge to ANY student, please contact Amy Carrington at 859-226-1610 to ask about further assistance.
BENEFITS:
• Provides in-depth programs that acquaint participants with community needs, issues and resources.
• Meet and interact with local leaders and decision makers.
• Visit local business, community and education sites and facilities.
• Broadens students perspective and understanding of community involvement.
• Connects to opportunities and challenges faced in career development.
• Fosters leadership development.
• Provides opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds to know one another and develop a level of mutual trust and respect.
• Creates a network of young leaders to guide the future of our community.
For more information about the Leadership Lexington Youth Program, contact Amy Carrington, program coordinator, at (859) 226-1610.
2011-12 Platinum Sponsor:
BRONZE SPONSOR:
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc.
Leadership Lexington Youth Program's Public Safety & Government Day
Article by Lewis Aldridge, Lafayette High School
The students that are part of the Leadership Lexington Youth Program got an opportunity to take an in-depth look at both on Public Safety and Government Day. Whether it was observing actions in a court room, or listening to the police discuss gang violence, the juniors in the group got an opportunity to see what our criminal justice system really is all about.
The day started in the Fayette County Circuit Courthouse where the LLYP students listened to a police officer discuss the problem of bullying. He discussed how bullying has evolved and is still a major issue in our school’s today, whether through the technological advances of cyber bullying, or just plain old name-calling, bullying takes all sorts of forms but in the end still hurts the same any which way. Bullying still takes place in our schools, and it’s important to stand up to the bullies especially for those who cannot stand-up for themselves, however, one must also understand the proper way to confront, using words rather than actions.
Next, Judge Tim Philpot met with the students. Judge Philpot is a family court judge who the students got the opportunity to observe in court where he heard multiple cases involving domestic violence. It was intriguing to see how many people actually showed up to court and the Judge’s relationship with the people of the court. Judge Philpot seemed to be fair. He showed that he really cared and that he was genuinely concerned with all parties involved.
After the students finished up at Fayette County Circuit Court, they walked over to the Government Center where Mayor Jim Gray and Councilman Kevin Stinnett were set to meet with the group. Mayor Jim Gray laid out the plans for Rupp Arena with the group and fielded questions on the arena and some of the issues surrounding it. He showed the group a video which was truly inspiring and helped to exemplify the depth of thought that the mayor and the council put into the Rupp Arena project. Councilman Stinnett led the students through a mock council session to vote on the Rupp Arena plan which, turned out to be turned down by one vote. The main issue was that the money for the project could be used for something more important like education reform or street repair rather than a whole new basketball facility.
The students then travelled to the police station where they were met by the police officers in charge of investigating gang activity. Issues were discussed from all of the schools about the gangs the students might know exist at their school, or possibly how to tell when someone is affiliated with a gang. This was extremely enlightening to realize how serious the gang problem is in Lexington, and how the police station is combatting it through intelligence and surveillance of reported gangs.
The best part of the day came after this when the students got the opportunity to meet with District Attorney Ray Larson. He was a gentleman who clearly knew his stuff about the criminal justice system and how it functions. He opened up his session by asking to know a little bit about the students. Mr. Larson inquired what the student’s names were, high school was, and what their favorite TV show was. He later explained he always asks his paroled convicts what their favorite TV show is so he can connect to them on a personal level and begin to know them. That way, whenever he sees them he can say “You like 30 Rock, right?” Mr. Larson discussed the way he handles his job, and why he decided to go into law. His presence was very strong and firm and he clearly had control of the room. Obviously, he knows how to talk to people being a lawyer and he was able to exemplify many of the traits that make him a great lawyer while with the students.
The last part of the day was spent with the police and fire department. First, the police chief came in and enlightened the group on what the important qualities of a leader are and how a leader should behave/act. He also discussed leadership on his level, being a police chief and how to help create a sense of cohesiveness within his unit. A forensic scientist came in next and did some activities on identifying objects and observing things in order to understand what took place at the scene of a crim. This was a fascinating topic that clearly is important in solving crimes and tracking down killers. Finally, the group got to hear from a firefighter and explore some fire trucks. The firefighter explained to the group his near death experience while in a fire. It was very touching, and the fact that he is still fighting fires to this day shows the courage and heart it takes to be a firefighter.
Overall, this day was an experience that the students of the Leadership Lexington Youth Program will surely never forget. Delving into the process of justice and the organization of law and politics was a worthwhile endeavor and helped to explain things a bit clearer than before. The ways all the branches of the government work together to protect and serve the people is what makes America so great. It’s about protection, and after Public Safety and Government Day ended, it was clear everyone felt a lot safer living in Lexington.
Leadership Lexington Youth Program's Higher Education and Career Development Day
Article by Rohin Lohe, P.L. Dunbar High School
The importance of higher education cannot be overemphasized in our society and our economy. On February 1st, the Leadership Lexington Youth Program (LLYP) visited various educational institutions across the city of Lexington and ended the day with résumé building.
The exciting day began at the Bluegrass Community and Technical College (BCTC). The President of BCTC, Dr. Augusta Julian, gave a short introductory speech as to why education is important to today’s society. After Dr. Julian’s speech, LLYP members were treated to talks from Mr. Mark Manuel, several BCTC student ambassadors, and Rebecca Sims, the director of dual credit initiatives and the Opportunity College at BCTC.
When talking to BCTC students, the primary concern LLYP members had was adjustment into college life. The BCTC ambassadors conveyed one main theme when they answered the question: stay organized, study hard, and don’t overstress. After this short question and answer session, we talked with Mrs. Sims. Dual credit initiatives, she explained to us, are college classes taken by high school students at their respective high school. The tuition is free and students who pass the class receive college credit hours. She maintained that if one plans on going to an in-state college, then dual credit courses are suggested in high school. If one plans to go out of state for college, Advanced Placement credits are recommended as not all dual credit course hours will transfer from state to state. The main point that the BCTC speakers were trying to convey to LLYP members was that one should take advantage of every opportunity that cross his or her path.
After the BCTC stop, LLYP went to Transylvania University. LLYP members talked to the Transylvania Admissions counselors first. The main thing that these counselors told the members was that each college application is different; if an applicant takes advantage of the opportunities abound at his/her high school, then he/she will have a heads-up on other applicants. After this brief lecture, the LLYP members took a tour of the Transylvania campus, which was given by a few student ambassadors. After this short tour and question and answer session, the LLYP members went to have lunch at the Transylvania dining hall. All the students sat with one college student who answered any remaining concerns. The Transylvania tour helped immensely and allowed students to grasp the intricate process of applying to college.
Towards the evening, LLYP visited the Craft Center, home to many of the University of Kentucky’s athletic teams. At the Craft Center, LLYP members were informed as to how UK athletics is giving back to advance the academic programs at UK. With a new athletic director, the athletic teams at UK have not only raised their average GPA to almost 3.0, but have also increased their graduation rate. One of the most interesting examples that demonstrated how dedicated UK is to helping its student-athletes pass is demonstrated by their tutor program. All men’s basketball players are required to log a certain number of tutor hours in order to continue being part of the basketball team. This not only helps the student-athletes to understand the material, but it also helps pace them to fast-track graduation. The highlight of this tour was visiting the UK men’s basketball locker room. Some students even claimed to have seen Anthony Davis!
The final topic of our day was résumé building with Mrs. Kelly Allgeier, a certified career counselor at UK’s Stuckert Career Center. A résumé, Mrs. Allgeier explained, was vital to finding a job. A résumé is basically a brag sheet that contains a list of honors, awards, experiences, and other relevant information. The main piece of advice she gave us was to update and maintain your résumé.
In summation, the High Education and Career Development Day was a huge success. LLYP members were exposed to the truths of life in college and beyond. In addition, LLYP members were given much needed helpful advice about college applications and job applications.