Leading Edge: Community Leadership for Teens
THE PROGRAM
Leading Edge is our comprehensive community leadership program developed specifically for high school students. We at LPP believe that civic engagement and leadership are skills that should be developed early in life through self-discovery and hands-on experiences. Leading Edge students gain an understanding of themselves, their communities, and their city through networking interactions with community leaders, exploration of local agencies and organizations, and leadership skill development curriculum. Students will graduate from the program as engaged and involved citizens who are working to make a difference in our community.
OBJECTIVES AND GOALS
Leadership of the Self
One of the first steps to leadership development is to understand ourselves – who we are, what we can do, and how we are perceived by others. For leadership to be actualized, we must understand our position in the Pikes Peak community by exploring our individual strengths, personality types, abilities, passions, and potential for personal growth.
Leadership of our Communities
A critical component of leadership development is learning how to apply our abilities to our own personal communities. A personal community is an intimate network of people with whom we align ourselves, and the places, issues, and organizations we rally around in our city.
Leadership of our City
Developing community trustees requires us to know where and how we can make a difference in the greater Pikes Peak community. LPP introduces participants to community leaders and informs them of local challenges. Program graduates will increase their confidence, skills, and abilities to strengthen the city, thus becoming a community trustee.
THE EXPERIENCE
A typical Leading Edge program consists of a total of 5 sessions, focusing on leadership of the self, community, and city. Each session will have a focus on a key civic engagement topic within our community and will explore these topics on a deep experiential level. During the program, students will also have the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the Pikes Peak region through service learning. This allows students to plug themselves into our community and build relationships with local organizations.
STUDENT TESTIMONIALS
"I developed confidence and creativity skills. I grew as a person and learned how to impact my community. I made connections and had an amazing experience!" - 2019 LE Graduate
"This organization has given me more connections to my community and has taught me how to be a better leader. I’ve enjoyed working with my peers to better myself as a leader and as a person." - 2019 LE Graduate
“After completing the program I was able to communicate better and be more comfortable doing things out of my comfort zone.” - 2019 LE Graduate
“It gave me a new confidence in myself and my leadership skills.” - 2019 LE Graduate
"I have developed networking skills as well as positive relationship-building tools to help me in college and beyond." - 2015 LE Graduate
"I've learned through Leading Edge that I REALLY do matter. I'm not just a teenager with no control. I have power in my community and because of Leading Edge, I have the tools to succeed!" - 2014 LE Graduate