Leadership & Entrepreneurship Programs
Wake Forest Entrepreneurs Academy
The Wake Forest Entrepreneurs Academy (WFEA) trains students on every aspect of entrepreneurship. Skills include creativity;
teamwork; public speaking; idea generation; opportunity analysis; market research; design thinking; prototyping; business
modeling; and pitching.
Two cohorts, one for rising 7th-9th graders and one for rising 10th-12th graders, will make up the sessions. Upon completion of the
Academy, students will be invited to make pitches to a panel of judges who will decide which ideas will be awarded seed money.
Our Platinum Sponsor, Loading Dock Wake Forest, will host the academy at their location in Downtown Wake Forest.
The 2022 Cohort will make their final presentations on November 16, 2022 from 6-9 p.m. at the Loading Dock Wake Forest.
For more information, click here. Questions? Contact Ann Welton ann@wakeforestchamber.org
Youth Leadership Wake Forest
Youth Leadership Wake Forest is an annual training program for high school students who have demonstrated leadership abilities. The program aims to develop a group of informed, committed and competent youth motivated to learn more about our community, to assume leadership roles in our schools, and to become more involved in our civic, cultural, economic development, and philanthropic organizations and groups.
Email Mrs. Tyson, styson@wcpss.net for more information. You can read more about the program and access the application at the link below.
https://wakeforestchamberfoundation.org/programs/youth-leadership-wake-forest/
Wake Forest Career Readiness Academy
The Wake Forest Career Readiness Academy allows students to learn leadership skills, gain an internship/apprenticeship opportunity with a local business, receive job training from industry experts, and learn basic financial literacy skills. To be considered, students must complete an application and interview.
Program is open to rising seniors and recent high school graduates.
See flyer HERE for details
See Program Sheet here
Application link found here
Reference Page link found here
Click here to learn more!
Check out our recap video of 2019-2020 here!
Kerr YMCA Leaders' Club
Leaders’ Club is a service based teen leadership program for grades 6-12. High School Leaders’ Club meets on Monday nights (7-8 pm) during the school year. 9-12th graders volunteer 100 hours in their community during the school year! We also take service trips on weekends and spring break, and a summer trip to Blue Ridge Leaders’ School in Black Mountain, NC with over 800 other students!
WHO RUNS LEADERS’ CLUB?
Emmanuel Kamau (‘Sushi” – Emmanuel.kamau@ymcatriangle.org) runs our High School Leaders’ Club. Each club utilizes other
adult volunteers and each club has a peer executive board that plans meetings and creates community within the clubs.
WHO CAN BE IN LEADERS’ CLUB?
Any student in 9-12 grade who is interested and has the time to volunteer in their community, can come to the club meetings once a
week, and wants to
connect to other kids from their schools. We have kids from all the local schools, and encourage our leaders’ club kids to bring their
friends in to this club. Here is the link for more information about the club.
Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Summer - Sophomores
only - Email by December 8th - see below.
If interested, email the following to Ms. Pope, bpope@wcpss.net, Counselor in Student Services, by December 8, 2022 -
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dmCkMo3NLCtBXPVZtGPRbXs74I00Y1eIVtA_v8yHlxM/copy
HOBY’s flagship program, the State Leadership Seminar (LS) is designed to help high school sophomores to recognize their
leadership talents and apply them to become effective, ethical leaders in their home, school, workplace and community.
Students explore their own personal leadership skills while learning how to lead others and make a positive impact in their
community. - See more at: http://www.hoby.org/programs/leadership-seminars/. This opportunity charges tuition.
*This program is not affiliated with WCPSS, the information is provided as a courtesy to students.
Distinguished Young Women of Wake County
Distinguished Young Women of Wake County is part of a national scholarship program that promotes and rewards scholarship,
leadership and talent in young women.
Cash scholarships are awarded at the local level and millions in college-granted scholarships are available ($1 billion nationally). And local winners will advance to the state program in Greensboro, NC where they give away more than $25,600.00 in cash tuition scholarships.
And it’s FREE to participate!
YOU CAN:
Make new friends from around your area
Participate in workshops on interviewing, public speaking and more
Have fun putting on a showcase of your achievements
PLUS help pay for your college education!
You must be a junior in high school to participate. Visit the website HERE for more information.
Contact: wake@distinguishedyw.org
Red Hat Shelton Leadership Challenge - Beginning March 2023
"The Shelton Challenge is a six-day residential experience to help students expand their knowledge and skills of what it takes to be a leader. Students will participate in activities that will help them have a greater understanding for: Personal Leadership Assessment and Interpersonal Dynamics; Role of Values and Ethics in Leadership; Leadership Traits and Approaches; Teambuilding and Empowering Others; Civic and Social Responsibility; and Goal Setting."
For more information, visit: https://sheltonleadership.ncsu.edu/pre-college/shelton-challenge/
Requirements of Participants:
9th to 12th grades (recent high school graduates are accepted)
GPA of 3.0 or better (If you do not meet this requirement and would like to still apply because you believe this will be a great
program, please write a brief statement explaining your reasons)
There is a cost associated with this activity.
*This activity is not associated with WCPSS, and is provided as a courtesy to students.
Program Dates for Summer 2023
Week One: June 11 - 16
Week Two: June 25 - 30
Week Three: July 9 - 14
Week Four: July 16 - 21
Each student must submit a 2023 Red Shelton Challenge application along with two references. Students are assigned their program week based on availability and preference once their application and references have been submitted.
Cost and Timeline
If selected, the student will receive an acceptance notification and will be prompted to pay $800 total, including lodging, meals and program curriculum. In their application, students will be able to indicate if their attendance is dependent upon receiving financial assistance and they will receive an email with further support. Program applications and financial assistance applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, beginning in March.
This event is hosted by The Shelton Leadership Center (SLC). The SLC is committed to positively impacting values-based leadership behavior in youth from pre-college, through university and beyond. NC State shares those same values and wants to help enhance their capabilities to become better leaders.
North Carolina General Assembly Senate and House Page Program - year round, every year
North Carolina General Assembly Senate Page Program:
This program offers young men and women the opportunity to learn about and participate in the legislative process of our state. It is a week-long experience that allows high school students between the ages of 15 (or 14 if already in the 9th grade) and 18, to observe firsthand how our laws are made. It provides them the unique privilege of working on the Senate Chamber floor in the midst of legislative action.
View this site for more information: https://www.ncga.state.nc.us/senate/senatepages
North Carolina House Page Program:
This program offers young men and women the opportunity to learn about and participate in the legislative process of our state. It is a 4 day long experience that allows high school students between the ages of 15 and 18 (or 14 if already in the 9th grade), to observe firsthand how our laws are made. It provides them the unique privilege of working on the House Chamber floor in the midst of legislative action.
The Page programs run when the legislature is in session.
View this site for more information: https://www.ncleg.net/house/housepagesite/
The North Carolina Governor's Page Program - year round, every year
Since 1973, the Governor's Page Program has provided high school students an opportunity to spend a week in Raleigh learning about state government. Each week, Pages are assigned to a state government agency or office to assist employees with daily responsibilities. Pages tour several historic landmarks, including the State Capitol, the Legislative Building and the Executive Mansion. Pages also participate in service projects and have the opportunity to meet elected officials.
For more information please visit the following website: http://governor.nc.gov/citizen-services/governors-page-program
Tar Heel Girls' State - Each summer
The purpose of Tar Heel Girls State is to provide citizenship training for rising senior high school girls; to afford them an opportunity to live together as self-governing citizens; and to inform them about the duties, privileges, rights and responsibilities of American citizenship in order that they may better understand and participate in the functioning of their government.
For more information, please visit the following website:
Application process occurs each January.
Note in the Pocket - Teen Board - Apply in March and April for the next school year!
Note in the Pocket (NITP) is a non-profit organization in Wake County, NC that provides needed clothing to children who are identified by various schools and social service agencies in the community as impoverished or homeless and needing clothing to wear to school. We accept donations and supply all seasons of clothing year round.
Note in the Pocket offers an exciting Student Leadership Program for Wake County High School students. Through this program, students will further develop their leadership skills while learning more about their community through volunteer and service projects. The program includes our Teen Board and Ambassador cohorts.
Applications for the 2022-2023 Teen Board cohort are now open and the deadline to apply is April 30.
Teen Board students complete a variety of projects including volunteer service, hosting clothing drives and fundraisers, and raising awareness for Note in the Pocket's mission. The Teen Board meets monthly and hears from industry leading guest speakers on a variety of topics including Public Speaking, Marketing & Communications, Volunteerism, and Starting Your Own Nonprofit. Students are put in small groups and work with a Mentor to complete their project plans.
Students from any high school (including rising 9th graders) in Wake County are invited to apply. Please share the application link below and the attached flyer. Applications will be reviewed in early May and select students will be invited to complete and interview. Selected students will be invited to join the Teen Board in early June. Students are asked to complete summer volunteer hours and the monthly meetings will be held September 2022-May 2023.
Triangle Youth Leadership Services - Apply in fall!
Triangle Youth Leadership Services holds a two day leadership conference led by NCSU Park Scholars - a very elite student group at NCSU.
Here is an overview of the conference from the TYL website:
"We bring students across the state together to engage challenges facing North Carolina communities. For several years, we’ve paired dozens of student volunteers at North Carolina State University with hundreds of high school students from across the state in annual conferences. Our two-day curriculum places participants in teams to problem-solve real-life community challenges through a design-thinking lens informed by workshops and speakers trained to hone their creative potential. At the end of the event, they deliver a concrete solution that they, even as high school students, can pursue."
Check out their website for more information: http://triangleleadership.com/about
Also, see a video overview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYHc26ZV3Bw
Apply at this link.
*This activity is not affiliated with WCPSS. Information is provided as a courtesy to students.
Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Summer - Sophomores
only
If interested, send the following to Ms. Pope in Student Services by December 8, 2022 -
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dmCkMo3NLCtBXPVZtGPRbXs74I00Y1eIVtA_v8yHlxM/copy
HOBY’s flagship program, the State Leadership Seminar (LS) is designed to help high school sophomores to recognize their
leadership talents and apply them to become effective, ethical leaders in their home, school, workplace and community.
Students explore their own personal leadership skills while learning how to lead others and make a positive impact in their
community. - See more at: http://www.hoby.org/programs/leadership-seminars/. This opportunity charges tuition.
*This program is not affiliated with WCPSS, the information is provided as a courtesy to students.
NC Youth Legislative Assembly - Apply in the fall!
In April of each year the Legislative Services Offices under the NC General Assembly will host the annual Youth Legislative
Assembly (YLA).
"The YLA teaches high school students about the laws governing North Carolina’s citizens as well as the lawmaking process.
Students draft, debate and vote on mock legislative bills while developing skills in research, interviewing, group facilitation and policy
writing. As the bills are debated, the students get a chance to practice communicating their ideas, opinions and experiences in a
team-building environment. At the conclusion of the three-day program, the participants have a better understanding of the
lawmaking process as well as enhanced written and oral communication skills."
Students must apply and be accepted in order to attend. 9th-12 graders can apply at this link
http://www.ncleg.net/ncgainfo/YLA.html
*This activity is not associated with WCPSS, and is provided as a courtesy to students.
Bank of America Student Leaders - Apply from November to
January!
On the Bank of America Website they provide the following information:
"Every year, through our Student Leaders program we help connect 225 community-minded high school juniors and seniors to
employment, skills development and service. They’re awarded paid summer internships with local nonprofits such as Habitat for
Humanity and Boys and Girls Clubs of America and participate in a national leadership summit in Washington, D.C.
Student Leaders is part of our ongoing commitment to preparing young people for a brighter future. If you or someone you know
have a passion for improving the community, click here to learn more about our eligibility criteria.
Students selected to participate in the Student Leaders Program must commit to working 8 weeks/35 hours a week for a non-profit
during the summer. During the eighth week, students will attend an all expense paid trip to the week long "Student Leaders Summit
in Washington D.C." During the Student Leaders Summit, participants will have an opportunity to connect with like minded students
from across the country, meet with elected officials in Washington, and network with key individuals from Bank of America."
Learn more or apply for this program.
Below are a few criteria that would help an applicant stand-out amongst all the applications we receive.
Diversity of thought and perspective
We value depth of service over quantity
Emphasis on overcoming challenges or students who wouldn't normally get this type of opportunity
This eight-week PAID internship will expose students to key leaders in the Triangle community as well as national speakers. Each
Student Leader will have a local Bank of America employee as a mentor. The students will also interact with over 300 Student
Leaders from across the country and learn the importance of collaboration between the private, public and government sector.
Students are required to complete an application and submit a recommendation letter from a teacher. The application portal opens
on 11/2/21. Flyer details found HERE. Applications must be fully submitted by 11:59pm on 1/28/22. The application and more
details about the program can be found at www.bankofamerica.com/studentleaders.
*This program is not affiliated with WCPSS, the information is provided as a courtesy to students.
Youth and Young Adult Leadership Team (YLT) for the
LGBT Center of Raleigh
Applications are open for the 2022-23' Youth and Young Adult Leadership Team (YLT) for the LGBT Center of Raleigh. YLT is a
group of selected youth ages 15-24 who plan and facilitate the majority of our youth/young adult programs. Youth/young adults
learn and develop event planning, public relations, team building, public speaking, and leadership skills. Youth/young adults
selected can benefit from leadership training, conference attendance, networking, recommendation letters, and scholarships.
See flyer HERE.
Application link: https://tinyurl.com/YYALTapplication
* This program is not affiliated with WCPSS, the information is provided as a courtesy to students.