Focus: Concentrate final selection on teammates who possess a high degree of social, emotional, and academic maturity and who complement one another.

Recommendation: Although student selection is determined by local schools, the GSLT Board of Directors recommends that GSLT teams include a diverse group of both male and female students if at all possible.

The Mission

The mission of GSLT is to develop student leaders who enhance the function of leadership throughout their local schools by shaping culture and performance. 

Therefore, it is imperative that local schools select those students who interact effectively with peers and with business and community leaders.

The Vision

As part of a system of world-class schools, GSLT strives to…

• Develop and instill a leadership mindset in students.

• Develop a cadre of students who implement leadership skills within the local schools and communities through peer facilitation.

• Create a legacy of leadership that promotes student involvement and overall excellence.

Students who return to their schools as seniors will be able to develop and enhance the function of leadership throughout the school.  Possible leadership roles include but are not limited to the following:

• Serving on school and community councils/committees;

• Presenting leadership development workshops to a wide variety of audiences;

• Mentoring junior GSLT members as well as other students at the local schools;

• Assisting in selecting new members; and

• Teaching segments of the junior leadership development workshops.

The GSLT Curriculum

During the sophomore and junior years, GSLT participants are introduced to a core curriculum of leadership skills and provided opportunities to explore leadership issues through a series of nine one-day learning sessions, two summits, and two retreats. The curriculum includes developing personal and systemic direction through applying mission, vision, goals, and core values; ensuring accountability and improvement; guiding student organizations through the change process; and building culture, climate, and community.

As seniors, GSLT members continue their leadership development through four monthly learning sessions and facilitate leadership development at their local schools. They also have opportunities to apply their leadership knowledge and skills in a variety of community situations. The GSLT curriculum provides opportunities for networking, collaboration, reflective processing, advanced learning, leading and teaching others, and facilitating problem-solving.

Requisite Skills for Candidates

• Emotional, Intellectual, and Social Maturity (key characteristics)

• Involvement in local school and community organizations and activities

• Academic Commitment

• Outstanding Communication Skills

• Demonstrated Leadership Skills, Initiative, and Resiliency

• Effective Team Member Skills

• Digital Citizenship (Recommendation: Check social media forums of candidates prior to selection and include the topic of appropriate forum use in interviews.)

• Credibility with a wide variety of audiences

• Ability to Analyze Issues

• Creative Thinking and Ability to Analyze Issues

• Commitment to Personal Growth

• Flexibility and Open-mindedness

• Negotiation/Compromise Skills

• Management of Academic Performance, Extra-Curricular Commitments, and Social Engagements

Selection Process

Since students selected for the GSLT Class of 2026-2028 will participate for two and a half years, the selection process at the local school level is critical. The THREE students selected from each school for the Gwinnett Student Leadership Team should be students who possess outstanding leadership, academic, and communication skills and who are involved in their local schools. Students are often introduced to business and community leaders as representatives of Gwinnett County Public Schools and Buford City Schools. They will have an array of opportunities such as serving in an advisory capacity to different community groups seeking youth opinions on issues related to their programs, as well as speaking to various civic groups and serving on forums with local and regional business leaders. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to serve in various leadership capacities and teach leadership development skills to their peers and others. Schools are encouraged to develop a process that provides the opportunity for all students to apply.

The GSLT Board of Directors recommends the following considerations for the local school’s selection process:

• A diverse team of THREE STUDENTS (current sophomores), including both females and males whose strengths complement one another, who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, academic, and communication skills; who interact well with community leaders; and who will represent the local school with integrity and maturity;

• A selection committee composed of current senior GSLT members, a teacher who teaches primarily sophomores, a counselor, the assistant principal who works with GSLT, and the principal to select the three students from each local school; and

• The local school principal interviewing final candidates/nominees to acknowledge and discuss the importance of the school’s representation on this community leadership team. 

• A selection process open to all interested sophomores including the following components: (1) a written application; (2) informal teacher recommendations; (3) an interview with the principal (final candidates); (4) activities for candidate collaboration or problem-solving; and (5) review of disciplinary records and social media forums.

Build a Selection Timeline 

• Timeline starts now!

• Push the timeline out as far as possible to allow sufficient time for the identification of potential candidates. 

• Timeline considerations: identification of candidates, interest meeting/session, written application, interviews with the selection committee and later with principal, problem-solving or social session with final candidates, and final application. 

• Local school deadline: Your Choice!

• Deadline for application of each school's final three students: December 5, 2025

Identification of Candidates 

• How are you going to cast a wide net in order to provide the opportunity to apply to all sophomores? 

  • One Idea: Reach out to 10th grade language arts teachers, coaches, club sponsors, and advisers with a list of characteristics for potential candidates. This will provide time to get to know the students before providing a list of nominees. 

• Offer a few social or interest sessions to get to know students. 

Starting Point 

• Host a session for potential candidates so that you meet students and interact with them. 

  • Ideas: interest meeting; session on soft skills that are critical for student leaders; or an ice cream social.

• Bring your potential candidates together for a session on soft skills. This is critical for opening the conversation with as many students as possible. 

Two Items for Consideration

• If you are new to the GSLT process, please reach out to Corey Stillwell or a returning GSLT sponsor for ideas on how to design a selection process. 

• You may adapt an application for use in the local school process or you may wish to design an application form that suits your selection process and ensures access for a diverse group of sophomore candidates.

To Local School Administrators:

Please send/complete the following items

for the three new GSLT students from your school to:

Corey Stillwell

Counseling, College & Career Services

Instructional Support Center

by Friday, December 5, 2025 (Final Deadline):

Final Three GSLT students:

Step 1: Complete Essays

Step 2: Complete Google Slide

Step 3: Complete Google Form, Upload Essay Document, & Upload Google Slide

Step 4: Sign Consent & Release Form

Step 5: Send Consent & Release Form to Mr. Stillwell

Student Application (Digital-Google Form)

• Student Information

• Parent/Guardian Information

• List of allergies, special dietary needs, and insurance information

• Completed essays (I, II, III, and IV) (this should be an attached .doc or .pdf)

• Google Slide (Format: Google Slide or PowerPoint)

Consent & Release Form (Paper Form)

• Signatures of the student, parent(s), AND principal for Statement of Participation and Conduct 

• Signatures of student and parent(s) for Statement of Commitment

• Signatures of student and parent(s) for Consent/Release

• Signatures of student and parent(s) for Treatment

Google Slide (Digital: Uploaded in the Google Form)

• Google Slide with a picture, school name, clubs & activities, leadership positions, and three adjectives to describe the student. This will be displayed at the Orientation. Please use this template!

Resources:

• Sample Paper Application

• Sample Google Slide

• Essay Document