About Youth Leadership Fort Wayne (YLFW)

Class of 2011

Youth Leadership Fort Wayne’s purpose is to provide for an effective community by offering to a diverse group of young people the opportunity for leadership development and responsible volunteer involvement, and by focusing community awareness on youth as a rich resource of leadership and service.

Outcome Goals

To discover our leadership skills.
To work together as a team.
To increase our knowledge of our community and its needs.
To instill in us a life-long commitment to community service.
To provide opportunities to practice what we have learned.

Program Description

Youth Leadership Fort Wayne is modeled after the adult program. It consists of an orientation, five full program sessions for which students are excused from school, and two retreats. Participants have the opportunity to meet and learn from leaders and experts in the community, discuss issues, explore community resources, visit a variety of sites, and be involved in hands-on activities. Students participate in workshops and retreats that help them identify their personal strengths and develop leadership skills. Social and community awareness, leadership skills, and team relationships obtained through the program assist participants in achieving personal goals, increasing their self-esteem and self-confidence, and fostering a life-long commitment to community service. Program sessions are evaluated by student participants and the program director according to established outcome goals.

Selection

Youth Leadership Fort Wayne is available to high school students from all Allen County public, private, and parochial high schools. Students are nominated by their schools and youth-serving organizations according to the following criteria. The program is designed specifically for the student who has demonstrated leadership ability and potential in his/her school or community activities but has not yet had the opportunity, or self-confidence, to utilize it. Students must be academically sound, have an interest in participating in the program, and are willing to make the necessary time commitment.

Curriculum

The program's curriculum is adapted for each group of participants and includes:

Trusteeship
Communication
Community Education
Team Building
Inclusion
Organizational Skills
Time Management
Group Dynamics
Community Service
Problem Solving
Visioning
Decision Making
Philanthropy

Youth Leadership Fort Wayne Class of 2011

Samantha Butz
Carroll High School

Gretchen Childers
Bishop Dwenger High School

Cameron Christian
Cornerstone College Prep School

Tyler Davis
Snider High School

Carissa Eisenmann
Woodlan Jr/Sr High School

Tyler Fitt
Homestead High School

Alaina Fritcha
New Haven High School

Paola Gamarra
Northrop High School

Esteban Garcia
Bishop Luers High School

Benjamin Gibson
Paul Harding High School

Jonathan Hake
Bishop Dwenger High School

Shelby Johnson
North Side High School

Mariah Petrucci
South Side High School
Girl Scouts of Northern Indiana Michiana

Jospeh Morman
Home School/4-H

Blaine Nichols
Carroll High School

Jacquelyn Niemyer
Heritage Jr/Sr High School

Christian Nitz
Leo Jr/Sr High School

Sarah Poorman
Homestead High School

Sarah Rice
Canterbury High School

Jordyn Rigler
North Side High School

Alyssa Ringswald
New Tech High School

Kathryn Sherrod
Concordia High School

Luke Shoemaker
New Haven High School

Shelby Sims
Blackhawk Christian School

Keyna Thomas
Snider High School

Danny Villagomez
Wayne High School

Emma Walker
South Side High School

Rachel Yoquelet
Heritage Jr/Sr High School, Cornerstone Youth Center