Mission
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The mission of the Kosciusko Youth Leadership Academy is to educate and train area youth in the principals of leadership. Community service is emphasized along with education through formal and classroom and hands-on training.
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Curriculum |
Although the curriculum has been continually updated through the years, the overall academic teachings are much the same today as they were back in 1993 when the academy first started. Students will hear several guest speakers in sessions that include: City, County and State Government, Implementing Leadership Skills, Agribusiness in Kosciusko County, Orthopedics and Healthcare, Understanding Your Personality Type And Leadership Style / Problem Solving, Social Services, and Law Enforcement / Judicial System. In addition to this, students will take a tour of the Kosciusko County Courthouse, Justice Building, EMS Dispatch Center, and County Jail, LSC Communications, and DePuy Synthes.
Students who participate in the program receive approved absences from their school system to attend half-day meetings once each month throughout the school year. On average there are eight meetings to attend during the year (requiring students to miss school on an approved absence basis), two mixers held at night after school hours, occasional evening volunteer work, and a formal graduation banquet where students receive their diplomas in early May. |
Project Proud |
In addition to attending formal class room training, each student must donate a total of ten hours towards a community service project. The students must also present their project in the form of a formal white paper project presentation to their peers, board members, and area invited dignitaries and guests at the end of the academic year.
Many of the students donate far more than the ten required hours. In some cases, students have contributed hundreds of hours each. The time required for each student to complete his or her Project Proud depends largely on the nature of the project the student decide to undertake. Students can download the Project Proud Outline Guidelines by clicking here. |
Selection |
All students who participate in the Kosciusko Youth Leadership Academy go through a formal application process their sophomore year, and, if selected, participate in the program their junior year of high school. Applications can be picked up at all the high school counseling offices or downloaded on this site in the "Apply" tab.
Applicants are accepted from six area high schools: Lakeland Christian Academy, Tippecanoe Valley High School, Triton Jr/Sr High School, Warsaw Community High School, Wawasee Community High School, and Whitko Community High School. Home Schoolers are also eligible to apply. The students represent four counties: Kosciusko, Marshall, Whitley, and Elkhart Counties. Home schooled students are also encouraged to apply. |
Get Involved |
Applications for admittance into the academy are made available in April of each academic year and can be picked up at the high school counseling offices or on this website.
Should you have any questions or comments regarding the academy, please do not hesitate to contact one of the board of directors or the email provided on the Contact Us page. People wishing to make a tax-deductible donation to KYLA can do so through the "Donate" link on the bottom of any page on this website. All donations are tax-deductible, as KLYA is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Thank you so much for visiting our site. KYLA Board of Directors |