Applications are now being accepted for the 2011-2012 class for Youth Leadership Rutherford.

The new class brochure and application form is available at the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce at 3050 Medical Center Parkway, or online at the Business Education Partnership website at www.rutherfordbep.org/YLR.
 
YLR is open to 32 high school students who will be juniors and seniors in the 2011-2012 school year.

It is an energetic and challenging civic education initiative that seeks to open the minds of students to the issues and concerns of their community and enable them to become more visionary leaders.

Students engage in monthly topic-specific seminar days where they are introduced to the opportunities and challenges within Rutherford County.

Among the topics covered are teamwork skills, business and economic development, government, industry and agriculture, human needs and services, education, arts and service.

At the end of the year, students use their experiences to design and implement their own group projects to meet a tangible need in the county.
 
Graduates from Youth Leadership Rutherford find their experiences help prepare them for post-high school education and career endeavors, as well as give them a more defining sense of their own personal strengths, interests and goals that has served them well in school, family, church and job positions.
 
Eligibility criteria for YLR include being a rising junior or senior, a GPA of 2.75 or greater, a demonstrated interested in leadership studies, a desire for personal growth, and a commitment to complete the entire program.

The application process includes a written form, essay, and a personal interview.

The program is open to students in all Rutherford County public, private and home schools, and is an approved activity of the Rutherford County Board of Education.
 
Deadline for Youth Leadership Rutherford applications for 2011-2012 is Friday, Feb. 4.

For more information, contact YLR Director Lee Rennick, or Leadership Rutherford Executive Director, Stephanie Brackman at (615) 893-6565.