2015 Graduating Class
Rising high school juniors and seniors interested in being part of the 15th annual Youth Leadership program of the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce will apply electronically for the Class of 2016-17.
Youth Leadership, first introduced in 2002, provides an opportunity for high school students to develop leadership skills and gain better understanding of the local community. The program also seeks to find those young people who will have a positive influence on the future growth and development of Cleveland and Bradley County.
“The Youth Leadership program was a natural outgrowth of the Chamber’s highly successful adult Leadership Cleveland program,” Bernadette Douglas, executive vice president, said.
Leadership Cleveland, in existence since 1984, has more than 400 alumni.
According to Sherry Crye, coordinator of the Youth Leadership program and liaison to the area schools, a selection committee comprised of Leadership Cleveland alumni will review applications and select eight rising juniors and seniors from Bradley Central, Cleveland and Walker Valley High Schools and two from Tennessee Christian Preparatory School, totaling 26 students in the program.
“The selection committee requested that we move to an electronic application process for the new class,” Ms. Crye said. “Tomorrow’s leaders will utilize more computer skills than ever before and it’s the next logical step for selecting students with leadership skills. Plus, typed applications will make reviewing numerous applications a much easier process.”
Following the selection of the Youth Leadership Class of 2016-17, the 26 students will participate in a daylong retreat and a number of day trips designed to help the students learn about the local economy, heritage and tourism, city and county government and services, and health and human services. They also experience a day in Nashville to learn about state government.
“Recruitment begins Feb. 4,” Ms. Crye said. “Students who want to apply should visit the Chamber’s website at www.clevelandchamber.com and follow the instructions there. School guidance offices also will have instructions and access to the link for the application site beginning Feb. 4. All applications must be completed and turned in to the guidance offices by Feb. 24.”
Students selected will be notified by early April.
“If you know students who would be good candidates for our Youth Leadership program, please have them contact their school’s guidance office or visit the website at www.clevelandchamber.com,” Ms. Crye said.
The 2016-17 Youth Leadership class will run from August through March.
City Government Day with the 2015-16 class members