The information/sites provided below are a compilation of various programs aimed at high school students that provide opportunities to further develop leadership skills. 

Youth Leadership Wake Forest
A year-long program for rising 10th, 11th, and 12th graders who have demonstrated leadership abilities and have an interest in learning about our community. The Wake Forest Chamber Foundation accepts applications each school year.

There are two schedule options for interested students: the summer Youth Leadership Academy and the year-long Youth Leadership Wake Forest program. Both programs require an application, but only the year-long program requires community references and interviews conducted by a selection committee. Please note that class sizes are limited. The tuition cost for this program is $500, and scholarships are available. For more information, visit www.wakeforestchamberfoundation.org to apply online. 
Students can apply to the "Summer Youth Leadership Academy" or the "Year-long" program.

Meredith College Leadership Conference
Meredith College is pleased to bring back our on-campus leadership conference for high school juniors who are interested in developing and sharpening their leadership skills. The Meredith College Office of Student Leadership and Service, in conjunction with the Office of Admissions. Please call the Office of Admissions at 1-800-MEREDITH or e-mail us admissions@meredith.edu with any questions.

FBI National Academy Associates Youth Leadership Program
The FBI National Academy Associates supports the young leaders of tomorrow through the Youth Leadership Program (YLP). YLP is designed to offer lifelong enrichment opportunities in support of an exceptional young leader’s drive for knowledge and their desire to make a difference in the world. The vision of YLP is to develop an influential community of socially conscious and service-minded leaders, connected through association who positively shape the world. This program focuses on 8 days of intensive instruction for 62 participants. The highly competitive program is run by a cadre of law enforcement training instructors. Extensive coursework and classroom instruction focus on issues faced by the youth of today and provides tools that can enhance their individual core talents. Each year, students represent over 40 U.S. states and 4 international countries. The Youth Leadership Program is offered to the students at no charge.

All applicants must be rising High School Sophomores or Juniors between 14-16 years old at the start date of the program. No exceptions. Applicants must demonstrate high academic standards and good citizenship on their initial application to be considered for the interview selection process. Individuals interested in attending the FBINAA Youth Leadership Program must apply through one of the FBINAA’s U.S. or International Chapters. Visit the NC Chapter website HERE.

Distinguished Young Women of Wake County
​Distinguished Young Women of Wake County is part of a national scholarship program that promotes and rewards scholarship, leadership and talent in young women.
Cash scholarships are awarded at the local level and millions in college-granted scholarships are available ($1 billion nationally). And local winners will advance to the state program in Greensboro, NC, where they give away more than $25,600.00 in cash tuition scholarships and it’s FREE to participate!
YOU CAN:

• Make new friends from around your area
• Participate in workshops on interviewing, public speaking and more
• Have fun putting on a showcase of your achievements
• PLUS help pay for your college education!

You must be a junior in high school to participate. Visit the website HERE for more information. Contact: wake@distinguishedyw.org

Kerr YMCA LEADERS’ Club
Leaders’ Club is a service-based teen leadership program for grades 6-12. High School Leaders’ Club meets on Monday nights (7-8 pm) during the school year. 9-12th graders volunteer 100 hours in their community during the school year! We also take service trips on weekends and spring break, and a summer trip to Blue Ridge Leaders’ School in Black Mountain, NC with over 800 other students!
WHO CAN BE IN THE LEADERS’ CLUB?
Any student in 9-12 grade who is interested and has the time to volunteer in their community, can come to the club meetings once a week, and wants to connect with other kids from their schools. We have kids from all the local schools, and encourage our leaders’ club kids to bring their friends to this club.

Red Hat Shelton Leadership Challenge 
The Red Hat Shelton Challenge is a six-day residential enrichment program designed to teach high school students leadership concepts such as ethical decision-making, effective communication, goal-setting and more. Students will participate in team-building exercises like low-high ropes courses, service projects and social activities in the evenings.​
Requirements of Participants:

• For rising 10-12 graders.
• Application form and 2 references required

Application found HERE.
​There is a cost associated with this activity. Financial assistance may be offered.

Tar Heel Girls' State (summer program)
The purpose of Tar Heel Girls State is to provide citizenship training for rising senior high school girls; to afford them an opportunity to live together as self-governing citizens; and to inform them about the duties, privileges, rights and responsibilities of American citizenship in order that they may better understand and participate in the functioning of their government. 

Tar Heel Boys' State (summer program)
Here is a description of the program from the general Boys' State brochure:
"Boys' State is an intense workshop concentrating on North Carolina state government and politics. Only males who have successfully completed their junior year of high school and have at least one more semester of high school remaining are considered eligible to participate. Delegates representing all geographic areas of North Carolina participate annually in this program." Candidates apply through a local post of the American Legion.

NCSU Chancellor’s Leadership Development Program
The Shelton Leadership Center seeks to support students who have interests in developing their leadership skills through engaging experiences with other students across disciplines. Students from all colleges across NCSU are accepted into the program. Participants are incoming first-year students who have already been accepted to NC State University for the fall semester. This two-year program helps students maximize their leadership skills through experiential learning and self-discovery. Applications are available in April. The program includes opportunities such as: Mentoring, Coaching, Professional Networking, Career Readiness, International/Study Abroad Experiences, building a leadership portfolio, and service events.

North Carolina General Assembly Senate Page Program
This program offers young men and women the opportunity to learn about and participate in the legislative process of our state. It is a week-long experience that allows high school students between the ages of 15 (or 14 if already in the 9th grade) and 18, to observe firsthand how our laws are made. It provides them with the unique privilege of working on the Senate Chamber floor in the midst of legislative action.
View this site for more information: https://www.ncga.state.nc.us/senate/senatepages​

North Carolina House Page Program
​This program offers young men and women the opportunity to learn about and participate in the legislative process of our state. It is a 4 day long experience that allows high school students between the ages of 15 and 18 (or 14 if already in the 9th grade), to observe firsthand how our laws are made. It provides them the unique privilege of working on the House Chamber floor in the midst of legislative action. 
The Page programs run when the legislature is in session.
View this site for more information: https://www.ncleg.net/house/housepagesite/
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The North Carolina Governor's Page Program 
​Since 1973, the Governor's Page Program has provided high school students with an opportunity to spend a week in Raleigh learning about state government. Each week, pages are assigned to a state government agency or office to assist employees with daily responsibilities. Pages tour several historic landmarks, including the State Capitol, the Legislative Building and the Executive Mansion. Pages also participate in service projects and have the opportunity to meet elected officials.
For more information please visit the following website: http://governor.nc.gov/citizen-services/governors-page-program

Note in the Pocket - Teen Board 
Note in the Pocket (NITP) is a non-profit organization in Wake County, NC that provides needed clothing to children who are identified by various schools and social service agencies in the community as impoverished or homeless and needing clothing to wear to school. We accept donations and supply all seasons of clothing year round. 

Note in the Pocket offers an exciting Student Leadership Program for Wake County High School students. Through this program, students will further develop their leadership skills while learning more about their community through volunteer and service projects. The program includes our Teen Board and Ambassador cohorts. For more details click HERE.
  
Teen Board students complete a variety of projects including volunteer service, hosting clothing drives and fundraisers, and raising awareness for Note in the Pocket's mission. The Teen Board meets monthly and hears from industry leading guest speakers on a variety of topics including Public Speaking, Marketing & Communications, Volunteerism, and Starting Your Own Nonprofit. Students are put in small groups and work with a mentor to complete their project plans. 
Please contact us teenboard@noteinthepocket.org.

Triangle Youth Leadership Services
Triangle Youth Leadership Services holds a two-day leadership conference led by NCSU Park Scholars - a very elite student group at NCSU. 
Here is an overview of the conference from the TYL website: 
"We bring students across the state together to engage challenges facing North Carolina communities.  For several years, we’ve paired dozens of student volunteers at North Carolina State University with hundreds of high school students from across the state in annual conferences. Our two-day curriculum places participants in teams to problem-solve real-life community challenges through a design-thinking lens informed by workshops and speakers trained to hone their creative potential. At the end of the event, they deliver a concrete solution that they, even as high school students, can pursue."

​Check out their website for more information: http://triangleleadership.com/about
Also, see a video overview here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYHc26ZV3Bw
Apply at this link. 

Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership  Summer
HOBY’s flagship program, the State Leadership Seminar is designed to help high school sophomores to recognize their leadership talents and apply them to become effective, ethical leaders in their home, school, workplace and community. Students explore their own personal leadership skills while learning how to lead others and make a positive impact in their community. - 

NC Youth Legislative Assembly 
​In April of each year, the Legislative Services Offices under the NC General Assembly will host the annual Youth Legislative Assembly (YLA). The YLA teaches high school students about the laws governing North Carolina’s citizens as well as the lawmaking process. Students draft, debate and vote on mock legislative bills while developing skills in research, interviewing, group facilitation and policy writing. As the bills are debated, the students get a chance to practice communicating their ideas, opinions and experiences in a team-building environment. At the conclusion of the three-day program, the participants have a better understanding of the lawmaking process as well as enhanced written and oral communication skills."

Students must apply and be accepted in order to attend. 9th-12 graders can apply at this link http://www.ncleg.net/ncgainfo/YLA.html 
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​Bank of America Student Leaders 
​On the Bank of America Website they provide the following information:
"Every year, through our Student Leaders program, we help connect 225 community-minded high school juniors and seniors to employment, skills development and service. They’re awarded paid summer internships with local nonprofits such as Habitat for Humanity and Boys and Girls Clubs of America and participate in a national leadership summit in Washington, D.C.

Student Leaders is part of our ongoing commitment to preparing young people for a brighter future. If you or someone you know have a passion for improving the community, click here to learn more about our eligibility criteria.
Students selected to participate in the Student Leaders Program must commit to working 8 weeks/35 hours a week for a non-profit during the summer. During the eighth week, students will attend an all expense paid trip to the week-long "Student Leaders Summit in Washington D.C."  During the Student Leaders Summit, participants will have an opportunity to connect with like minded students from across the country, meet with elected officials in Washington, and network with key individuals from Bank of America."
Learn more or apply for this program.
Below are a few criteria that would help an applicant stand-out amongst all the applications we receive.

• Diversity of thought and perspective
• We value depth of service over quantity.
• Emphasis on overcoming challenges or students who wouldn't normally get this type of opportunity

This eight-week PAID internship will expose students to key leaders in the Triangle community as well as national speakers. Each Student Leader will have a local Bank of America employee as a mentor. The students will  also interact with over 300 students from across the country and learn the importance of collaboration between the private, public and government sector.  Students are required to complete an application and submit a recommendation letter from a teacher. The application and more details about the program can be found at www.bankofamerica.com/studentleaders.

Youth and Young Adult Leadership Team (YLT) for the LGBT Center of Raleigh
​Applications are open for the 2022-23' Youth and Young Adult Leadership Team (YLT) for the LGBT Center of Raleigh. YLT is a group of selected youth ages 15-24 who plan and facilitate the majority of our youth/young adult programs. Youth/young adults learn and develop event planning, public relations, team building, public speaking, and leadership skills. Youth/young adults selected can benefit from leadership training, conference attendance, networking, recommendation letters, and scholarships. 
Application link
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The Beautiful Project
The Beautiful Project, Inc. The Beautiful Project (TBP) is a community-based arts organization in Durham, North Carolina that uses storytelling and visual arts to advance the healing and representational justice of black girls, gender-expansive youth, and women. TBP teaches black girls and gender-expansive youth how to use their voice and power at the intersection of images, stories, and justice to advocate for their wellness and recognition by providing free access to arts education and applied training, youth-led storytelling, and holistic community care.

Applications for our Arts & Activism Youth Apprenticeship Program are available on our website for students ages 14-18 living in the Triangle. This year-long apprenticeship provides an opportunity for black girls and gender-expansive creatives who are interested in using art and storytelling to advocate for social change in their communities. Past cohorts have created a short film and online campaign to support the healing and liberation of Black youth. During the program, participants will have the opportunity to learn various creative practices that will strengthen their voice, power and art, develop caring relationships with other young Black creatives in their area, receive mentorship from Black women creatives of a variety of professions & lead an arts-based cultural activism project that explores an issue impacting Black youth. 


































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