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“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.”

Youth Leadership Rowan Class #1 Graduates (2024-2025):

Carson High School:
Wyatt Cornelius
Colson Pless

Early College:
Retage Elsaid
Dereon Rose-Morris
Luke Wingler

East Rowan High School:
Cadence Hamilton
Caroline Quick

North Rowan High School:
Madison Gooch
Rachel Wilkerson
ChyNue Vang

Salisbury High School:
Dayami Acevedo-Roque
Cadeyn Bender
Finnegan Avery

South Rowan High School:
Jennelle Benitez
Sara Culbert
Anna Shell

West Rowan High School:
Reagan Helmbold
Lucy Shelton
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.  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. Applications for the 2025-2026 are now OPEN until April 1!

Download the Youth Leadership Rowan Application Here

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.

 

2025-2026 Class Schedule

2025:
Opening Retreat - September 10
History Day - October 8
Human Needs Day - November 12
December - No class

2026:
Government Day - January 14
Communications Day - February 11
Graduation - March 4

 

Contact Alisha Byrd-Clark, Program Coordinator, at youthlead@rowanchamber.com with any questions.