Leadership Lexington Youth Program Open for Sophomores

Sophomores who have an unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher can apply for this program.

The Leadership Lexington Youth Program is a year-long program for high school juniors from Lexington. The program was created by Commerce Lexington with the mission “to prepare diverse individuals for leadership through education and hands-on interaction, touching upon issues and resources pertaining to our community.”

LLYP consists of  students from schools across Lexington including six juniors from Dunbar: Emma Draper, Rohith Kesaraju, Akhil Kesaraju, David Ma, Flor Mucino and Julia Radhakrishnan.

Students in LLYP meet on the first Wednesday of every month. Each session has a unique theme ranging from government and public safety to arts and media. At every session students hear from prominent figures, visit the community and participate in various hands-on activities. Some of this year’s prominent events included a “meet and greet” with city council members, a presentation by Crank and Boom owner Tao Green, and a panel discussion on the local opioid epidemic.

“I joined it because I considered myself a leader before but I really wanted to get to know more,” said junior Emma Draper. “My brother did the program and he told me a lot of good things about it so I decided to join it as well in the hopes that it would teach me some of the same principles it taught him.”

For students seeking to apply, Draper has some advice. “Go to the website, check out the application and get started. It’s pretty long.”

The application consists of background information, three essay questions and two reference letters.

The program has a tuition fee of $375 for the eight-month session. This fee includes the cost of transportation and food during the program. Financial scholarships are available for students who need assistance. Contact Amy Carrington at 859-226-1610 for more information.

Completed applications must be submitted to Mrs. Pamela Bates in the CCC or Mrs. Melissa Long in the guidance office by March 16. After submitting an application, students will be notified if they qualify to be interviewed by Commerce Lexington members. Acceptance letters will be mailed out in late May.

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  • Continuing the Arts and Media theme, students listened as Lexington fashion designers showcased their products and the process involved to become designers.

  • At 11:00 am, following the Arts and Media Day theme, students were able to be on set during the shooting of WKYT.

  • Sun beating down on the chilly day, students were able to bundle up and learn about the care that goes into horses stabled at the KY Horse Park.

  • Secretary of State, Allison Grimes, spoke with students on their way to different locations as they participated in the Health and Human Service Day, transported by charter bus each way.

  • WKYT Meteorologist Micah Haris relays the current weather conditions to viewers, including the LLYP members in attendance.

  • Dunbar LLYP member, Flor Mucino, strikes a pose next to a black fireman’s thoroughbred, showing the enormity of the horse, as part of the Health and Human Services Day.