“Youth Leadership Rowan hopes to re-enforce the idea that students would be more willing to “help their hometown” when they graduate by providing access to contacts in the business community and skills that can help them in the future.”
Welcome our First Youth Leadership Rowan Class:
- Carson High School: Wyatt Cornelius and Colson Pless
- Early College: Retage Elsaid, Deron Rose-Morris, and Luke Wingler
- East Rowan High School: Cadence Hamilton and Caroline Quick
- North Rowan High School: Madison Gooch, Rachel Wilkerson, and ChyNue Yang
- Salisbury High School: Dayami Acevedo-Rogue, Cadeyn Bender, and Finnegan Patrick-Avery
- South Rowan High School: Jenette Benitez, Sara Culbert, and Anna Shell
- West Rowan High School: Regan Helmbold, Lucy Shelton, and Virginia Walser
About Youth Leadership Rowan
Eligibility – Applicants must:
- Be a rising Junior in good academic standing.
- Demonstrate leadership potential in their school and/or community.
- Have an interest in furthering their knowledge about our region and community leadership.
- Submit one letter of reference.
- Receive approval by high school principal and/or guidance counselor.
- Be willing to commit to 100% participation.
Application Requirements:
To be considered, candidates must complete the application in its entirety. A completed application includes this document and one letter of reference. Your school must review and submit your application to info@rowanchamber.com no later than April 15, 2024. Reference letters must be emailed from the referencing person, not the student. Your reference may be a teacher, guidance counselor, principal, employer, etc. It cannot be a family member.
Student Commitments:
- RSS will provide transportation to and from sessions.
- Attend all scheduled sessions.
- Attend orientation for participants with a parent/guardian in August 2024.
- Monthly sessions September-March, 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. (there will be no meeting in December due to exams)
- Graduation will be held in March 2025.
- Attendance at all sessions is expected. Two unexcused absences will result in removal from the program. Being accepted for YLR is similar to signing a contract, both sides have obligations. You will agree to contribute your presence, ideas, and energy, and we agree to challenge you and expose you to new ideas.
- Please consider your commitments prior to submitting an application. College classes and other extra-curricular activities may impact your ability to attend YLR session.
- Students must make appropriate arrangements with teachers for any missed work.
- Students selected to participate agree to submit complete session evaluations in a timely manner.
Attendance Policy:
- Students should be excused from class for all days listed on the Program Calendar.
- Attendance at YLR Program days is mandatory. If a student has two unexcused absences, he or she may be removed from the program.
- RSS will provide transportation to and from YLR Program days.
- During the day, students will be provided with a lunch, and snacks.
- All planned or unplanned absences from YLR MUST be reported to the YLR Director.
- The graduation ceremony is held during the evening in March. Parents are invited to attend the graduation event. Location TBA.
Class Sessions 2024:
Sept. 11 Opening Retreat & Education Day at Catawba College
Oct. 9 History Day
Nov. 13 Human Needs Day
Dec. NO MEETING
Class Sessions 2025:
Jan. 8 Government & Justice Day
Feb. 12 Communications, Business & The Economy Day
March 5 Graduation & Planning Day
Contact Elaine Spalding espalding@rowanchamber.com or contact the Rowan Chamber at 704-633-4221 with any questions.