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 The Youth Leadership Alliance of the Virginia Peninsula is a newly developed program designed for students who wish to develop and apply their leadership skills in the community. Sponsored by the Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, this unique opportunity offers future leaders insight into the abundant community resources available to them and their schools. The one-week program consists of an evening orientation and five full-day sessions. Participants for the 2008 session represented the five high schools of Newport News and consisted of the newly elected Student Government members for the upcoming eleventh grade.
Mission Statement: The goal of the Youth Leadership Alliance program is to provide local high school students with a premiere leadership experience that will empower and inspire them to achieve personal and professional successes. It is our objective to convey the relevant impact of cultural, historical, economic and political issues on the future of the Virginia Peninsula.
Participants will acquire and broaden their knowledge of local government, business, and civic activities through five program days. These days will take the following themes: local government and the government process; education; history and culture; business and commerce as well as team building skills. The Youth Leadership Alliance program is highly interactive which permits participants to review the impact each topic has on the region. The student government members from each school will assist the community in two ways -- a community project and a school project. These projects requires participants to identify potential projects, collectively select one, determine the resources required to complete the project, plan, and implement it.
The Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce (over 2,800 members strong) is a long-standing, highly respected organization that traces its history back to 1898. Members of the Hampton Board of Trade and The Newport News Business Men’s Association came together that year to form what would become the Chamber of Commerce as we know it today. Specifically, in April 1935 various business organizations in Newport News, Hampton, Phoebus, Warwick, Williamsburg, James City County, York County, and Elizabeth City County consolidated to form the Virginia Peninsula Association of Commerce. In December 1958, the name changed to the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce and in September 1984, it changed to the current name: (The) Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce.
The Chamber along with the Newport News Public Schools was proud to help launch this premier program designed for our future community leaders. For more information about the Youth Leadership Alliance, please contact Carrice White at the Chamber at 262-2000.
Thank you to the sponsors of the 2009 YLA:
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