Youth Leadership Lincoln
BY SARAH CAI, YOUTH LEADERSHIP LINCOLN PARTICIPANT
In a fast-paced world, the importance of teaching leadership skills to our youth can’t be overstated. The Youth Leadership Lincoln program stands as a shining example of how our community is investing in the future — by nurturing young leaders today.
Leadership Lincoln is a city-wide initiative that brings together people from diverse backgrounds to give them the knowledge, experiences, skills, and leadership tools they need to become effective leaders within the community. The program has produced almost 4,000 local leaders accumulating 750,000 volunteer hours in its 38 years of service.
Youth Leadership Lincoln (YLL) focuses on the young leaders in our community. It’s a year-long, comprehensive program open to high school sophomores in Lincoln and the surrounding area. Local school districts, community leaders, and various sponsors come together to prepare young individuals to become effective leaders in our ever-evolving society. It’s a real collaboration.
Around 40 students are chosen for this selective program every year. To apply, 9th graders must submit an application at the end of their freshman year, and get a recommendation from their school principal as well as a parent permission form.
If accepted, YLL participants start working together to become better leaders. After an orientation meeting in the summer, the school year kicks off with an overnight, end-of-summer retreat targeted towards learning to work as a team. They make connections outside of school or extracurricular activities, and create relationships which will be helpful in the future, and last a lifetime.
Throughout the year, monthly meetings uncover essential leadership qualities, communication skills, and problem-solving techniques. These meetings focus on topics from government, to health, to inclusive leadership, and they provide participants with the tools they need to excel in leadership roles.
On these meeting days, students have the opportunity to interact with leaders from around the community, some of whom are Leadership Lincoln alumni themselves, creating a sense of mentorship and building connections. Through hands-on experiences around the community, participants are challenged to apply their leadership skills in real-world situations. This practical approach allows them to learn and grow in a supportive environment.
Additionally, YLL encourages participants to get involved in local service projects — they reinforce the idea that leadership means serving the community, and becoming aware of the community’s needs and challenges. The Youth 26 cohort volunteered to help with the Toyland distribution at the Center for People in Need, CEDARS gift wrapping, and shopping and delivery for the Free Little Pantries.
A highlight of the year for many students was the Arts and Media seminar at the UNL College of Journalism and Mass Communications. YLL participants had the opportunity to run a sample news broadcast entirely on their own and create their own podcasts in small groups.
Designed to develop leadership skills, civic engagement, and a sense of community responsibility, the program offers a transformative experience for participants that will guide them throughout their lives. The impact of Youth Leadership Lincoln is tangible and far-reaching. Graduates of the program have gone on to make significant contributions to our community, whether in business, politics, education, community service, or even this magazine! Many YLL alumni have become trailblazers, leaving a lasting legacy and enriching our city.
“Youth Leadership Lincoln is not just a program; it’s a movement to empower the leaders of tomorrow. As parents, educators, and community members, let us continue to support and champion this remarkable initiative, for it is through programs like YLL that we shape a brighter future for Lincoln. Youth Leadership Lincoln is empowering the
youth of today to become the leaders of tomorrow.”
To learn more about Youth Leadership Lincoln or how your child can get involved, visit leadershiplincoln.org/programs/actioncenter/youth.html or contact the youth program coordinator, Tyler White-Welchen, at twwelchen@leadershiplincoln.org.