Roane Chamber announces summer youth leadership program

KINGSTON—The Roane County Chamber of Commerce is looking for rising high school juniors to participate in this summer’s Roane County Youth Leadership Academy.

Students from the five Roane County high schools and home school are invited to submit their application to attend the academy, which is scheduled for the week of June 3-7. The week-long academy is held at Roane State Community College.

“The Chamber recognizes that our area’s youth hold the key to our future, and the program has been structured to encourage our youth to become leaders in our community,” said Kathy Parks, chair of the Chamber’s Leadership Committee.

“This summer, the students will be exposed to many aspects of the Roane County community: economic development, health and medicine, government, and media are among the topics the program will explore,” Parks added.

Throughout the week, the students participate in classes and activities that increase their understanding, development, and use of leadership skills. They are provided an opportunity to apply these skills in a meaningful, positive manner with a focus on valuable life skills of teamwork, communication, and problem solving.

The students start off the week by participating in the Ropes Course at the John Knox Center. The goals of the Ropes Course are to increase a student’s sense of personal confidence and to increase mutual support within the student group. Students participating in the Ropes Course will grow both as individuals and as a group.

At the conclusion of the week, student teams from each of the high schools present a plan for a community service project to be completed during the next school year.

“We provide students with meaningful interactions outside of the classroom that connect students with their peers and with other members of the community,” said Sarah Hooper, the Academy’s primary instructor. “These interactions help students to emerge as leaders in the wider student community. We offer the students opportunities to work collaboratively and effectively with their peers and adult leaders in the community. An important aspect of the academy is for the students to develop a sense of community beyond their schools.”

Students wanting more information or wishing to participate in the Youth Leadership Academy should contact Kathy Parks no later than Feb. 25 at (865) 354-3366.

The academy’s selection committee will seek the recommendations of school principals. Students selected to attend the academy are not necessarily students who are already leaders in their school, but students that exhibit potential leadership qualities. Generally, two students and one alternate are selected from each of the five Roane County high schools, and home schooled or other school entities.

Individuals, businesses and other community organizations are encouraged to “Invest in Tomorrow” by investing in our students today with donations to the Youth Leadership Academy. Donations may be made to: RSCC Foundation, 276 Patton Lane, Harriman, TN 37748. Please reference “Youth Leadership Program” on the check.

The Chamber is a partner in The Roane Alliance, Roane County’s economic development organization. The partners who operate under the Alliance umbrella along with the Chamber include the Industrial Development Board and Visitors Bureau.