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By NOAH WORTHAM | Managing Editor

An informative and rewarding experience that molds young leaders is now open for registration as Leadership Shelby County prepares to guide local students during the annual Youth Leadership program.

Youth Leadership Shelby County is a six-month program designed for students entering the 11th grade that seeks to encourage young future leaders by providing them a guiding hand. The program seeks to inspire social consciousness and aims to provide the necessary experiences, goals and opportunities its participants would need to be future leaders.

“It’s a great opportunity for eleventh graders throughout the county in both public and private schools to get involved and learn more about how Shelby County works and the different entities that really make us thrive,” said Kendall Williams, executive director of Leadership Shelby County.

Youth Leadership Shelby County meets on the first Tuesday of each month, during which students have the opportunity to meet decision makers in the local community and to engage them in open dialogue regarding current issues. Participants will be exposed to a wide range of topics that face communities with an emphasis on active, hands-on experience that makes the learning impactful.

The schedule for this year’s program is as follows:

• November – A two-day opening retreat will take place Nov. 3-4 to foster team building among the class of 2025 and will also introduce the program’s concepts and processes
• December – The class will meet on Dec. 3 for Health and Human Services day to gain knowledge and understanding of the state of the healthcare industry
• February – Participants will meet on Feb. 4 for Justice System Day to learn about law enforcement, the court system, community corrections and juvenile services
• March – On a date to be determined in March, Government Day will educate students on the formal and informal processes of non-judicial aspects of state government and ways in which it relates to Shelby County
• April – On April 1, Education Day will help to better prepare students to transition from high school to college as well as expose participants to college and career opportunities
• April – On a date to be determined in late April, a graduation ceremony will be held for students alongside a presentation of group projects

Throughout the program, students will also be provided the opportunity to take part in a group project that benefits the local community and is helmed by a nonprofit. The outcomes of each group’s project will be presented during the program’s graduation ceremony in April.

Applications for Youth Leadership Shelby County are open and are due by 4 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 19. There is no cost to the student in order to participate in the program which is sponsored by the Leadership Shelby County Alumni Association.

Those interested in registering may visit Leadershipshelbycounty.com/Youth_Leadership_Shelby_County.