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ANNOUNCING NEW ENROLLMENT FOR THE LIGHTNER YOUTH LEADERSHIP ACADEMY (Criteria & Nomination Form)

In cooperation with Wake County Public Schools and area parochial schools, The Lightner Youth Leadership Development Program is founded on the premise that today's youth are tomorrow's leaders. This partnership recognizes that students' talents must be nurtured. Students must be provided with emotional support, access to resources and information, high quality education, and ample opportunities for work, entrepreneurship and community service. This new Youth Leadership program is committed to providing these opportunities for students to ensure the development of tomorrow's leaders.

WHO WILL THE PROGRAM SERVE ?
A diverse group of students in grades five and eight will be nominated to participate in the program. In March & April of 2007, nominations will be collected from school personnel, corporate executives, community leaders and faith leaders. Nominees and their parents/guardians will be invited to attend a mini-camp program to be held in May 2006 on two consecutive Saturdays. At the mini-camp, nominees will learn about the commitment which will be required and assistance given to complete the application process. Following the mini-camp, a committee of the Board will select a total of 40 students (20 fifth grade and 20 eighth grade students) to participate in the program.

WHAT IS THE PROGRAM DESIGN ?
The Lightner Youth Leadership Development Program is designed with three ascending modules of leadership training. Each module will stimulate excitement and excellence in the civic learning process.

WHEN WILL THE PROGRAM OPERATE ?
The first module, Summer Leadership 101, will be conducted the third week of July 2007 at a camp site outside of Wake County, Camp Challenge at Vade Mecum Springs, just north of Winston-Salem. The second and third modules, a Leadership Academy and Fellows Program, will operate from August through the following May, and will be conducted the fourth Saturday of each month. Fifth-grade students and eighth-grade students beginning the program in 2004 will continue to participate through high school. The second & third modules will be conducted at various public locations in the Raleigh/Wake area.

WHAT IS THE COST ?
The tuition for the Leadership Youth Development Program is $2,000 of which $150 is expected to be paid by the applicant or a sponsoring organization. Tuition fees are nonrefundable. The balance of the tuition ($1,850) will be awarded to accepted participants as a scholarship provided by the Clarence E. Lightner Leadership Endowment Fund.

HOW WILL STUDENTS WHO PARTICIPATE BENEFIT ?
Students who successfully complete each module of training will receive a high degree of public recognition including:
~ Progressive and contemporary assistance in reaching goals and objectives;
~ Participation and recognition at the annual Lightner Endowment Banquet;
~ Letter of recommendation from the chairman of the endowment certifying completion, useful in obtaining community service credits in high school or application for higher education and/or employment;
~ Fellow's emblem clothing patch; a color-coded wallet ID card; and an opportunity to have thoughts on youth leadership published in the News & Observer and Carolinian Newspapers and other Triangle publications
~ Participation in various culturally enriching and educationally stimulating conferences, seminars and learning tours.
~ Eligibility to receive a scholarship award of $1,000 presented to the participant who composes the most creative and original essay. The topic of the essay will be announced to all participants in early September of each year. The scholarship will be awarded to the winning participant during the annual banquet.
~ Eligibility to receive the Lightner Alumni Distinguished Service Award of $2,500 presented to the Fellow who, during the first calendar year after completing the program, exemplifies leadership ability with recognizable impact. This award will be presented as a scholarship in the name of the recipient, for the benefit of the recipient to be sent to an institution of higher learning of the recipient's choice.

WHAT IS THE PROFILE OF STUDENTS TO BE NOMINATED ?
~ Demonstrates or is thought to have leadership potential;
~ Demonstrates academic achievement potential;
~ Displays good character;
~ Interested in learning good citizenship skills and responsibilities;
~ Demonstrates positive attitude towards school and community;
~ May be a marginal student that has shown potential;
~ May be unmotivated in class but has demonstrated leadership qualities in other areas.

MODULE DESCRIPTIONS

LEADERSHIP MODULE ONE: "LEADERSHIP DISCOVER 101" (Grades 5 and 8)
Selected students will participate in a summer camp during the last week of June. The camp will be designed to train and instruct participants in developing citizenship and leadership skills and qualities germane to discovering their full potential. Curricula will include a focus on communications, conflict resolution, community service, etiquette, self-esteem building, technology, functions & responsibilities of various levels of governmental bodies and effectively working with adults in the community.

LEADERSHIP MODULE TWO: "YOUTH LEADERSHIP ACADEMY" (Grades 6 through 8)
Rising sixth-grade students will be provided peer mentors, adult role models and discussion facilitators on leadership qualities, including critical thinking, character development, communications, appropriate dress, decorum, grooming, historical perspectives, financial literacy and academic pursuits. At this level, students will be expected to understand and communicate the various entities which contribute to the orderly governing in society. The fourth Saturday of each month, students will participate in workshops and seminars from 9 am until 12 noon. Students will also participate in summer camp each summer.

LEADERSHIP MODULE THREE: "YOUTH LEADERSHIP FELLOWS PROGRAM" (Grades 9-12)
Module Three is designed for rising ninth graders who are potential leaders in civic affairs. The Lightner Youth Leadership Development Program will use a skills-based approach for its classes, workshops, seminars and retreats. In the Fellows Program participants will be exposed to and receive motivational presentations from various municipal, county, state and Federal elected officials, governmental policy administrators, business, corporate & professional sector leaders, media representatives, heads of various nonprofit organizations and faith leaders. All activities of this nature will be non secular and nonpartisan in theory, principal and presentation. Participants will be trained to respect diverse opinions. Workshops will be held on the fourth Saturday of each month, August through May. Eighty percent attendance will be required. The Fellows Program will conclude the year with a week-long summer camp to provide additional opportunities for participants to learn advance leadership skills, group dynamics and to explore current or emerging issues affecting their community. Students participating in the Fellows Program will become Peer Mentors for students in the other two modules. Students will also participate in community service projects throughout the school year.

CRITERIA & ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

FOR THE LIGHTNER YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

NOMINATIONS FOR THE CLARENCE LIGHTNER MINICAMP
* Must be a rising 5th or 8th grade student
* Must complete application
* Must commit to two, three-hour Saturday seminars
* Must commit to a one week summer camp each summer
* Must be a resident of Wake County
* Must commit to six year duration for entire program
* Must have attached to application recommendations by persons who know student's strength. This may include school teachers, counselors or administrators, faith or business leaders, elected officials or heads of area nonprofit organizations.
* Applicant must compose an essay (200 words, typed, double-spaced) or video presentation (under five minutes) describing or expressing admiration for a person serving in a leadership capacity in their city/town or community.

CRITERIA FOR MODULE ONE: "YOUTH LEADERSHIP DISCOVER 101" (Grades 5 & 8)
* Must be a rising 6th or 9th grade student
* Must be able to commit to the program one week, the last week of June
* Must be a resident of Wake County
* Must complete the Clarence Lightner Minicamp in April of student's firth or eighth grade school year.

CRITERIA FOR MODULE TWO: "YOUTH LEADERSHIP ACADEMY" (Grades 6-8)
* Must be a rising 6th or 8th grade student
* Must be a resident of Wake County
* Must be able to commit to one Saturday workshop per moth during the school calendar year
* Must be able to commit to one week of summer camp each year
* After first year (2004) must have completed Minicamp and Youth Leadership Discovery 101

CRITERIA FOR MODULE THREE "YOUTH LEADERSHIP FELLOWS PROGRAM (Grades 9-12)
* Must be a rising 9th grade student
* Must be a resident of Wake County
* Must have completed Minicamp experience
* Must commit to be a per mentor to a middle school student
* Must be able to commit to one week of summer camp each year
* Parent must sign contract of participation
* Must participate in 80% of all fellow's activities to receive graduation status.
* Must commit to participate in future civic and volunteer activities associated with the Lightner Endowment Fund.

LIGHTNER YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM'S NOMINATION FORM
Program Year 2007

Please print out and mail forms to the Clarence E. Lightner Leadership Endowment Fund, Post Office Box 27462, Raleigh, N.C. 27611-7462. Nominations may also be faxed to (919) 833-0723 or e-mail to info@lightnerfund.org Nominations must be received on or before April 20, 2007.

Full Name of Applicant : ___________________________________________________________

Address of Applicant: ___________________________________________________________

City/Town: ________________________________Zip: ___________

Phone E-Mail: _____________________________________________

Name and Title of Nominating Adult: ___________________________________________________________

Address of Nominating Adult: ___________________________________________________________

City/Town: ____________________________________Zip:____________________

Phone: _________________

E-Mail: ________________________________

Next Year's School Of Applicant: __________________________________________________

Next Year's Grade Level of Applicant: _______________

Nominator: Please comment on the following categories and list activities or demonstrative examples. Feel free to use additional sheets of paper to elaborate.

LEADERSHIP CHARACTERISTICS AND/OR POTENTIAL:

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PERSONALITY TRAITS OBSERVED:

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ABILITY TO GET ALONG WITH OTHERS:

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GENERAL COMMENTS AND/OR SUMMATION FOR RECOMMENDATION:

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Signature of Nominating Adult

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Date