Youth Leadership Information
The Fort Stockton Chamber of Commerce sponsors Youth Leadership Fort Stockton. It is designed to expose future leaders of the community to Fort Stockton and the many opportunities available in Fort Stockton and Pecos County. The program promotes an awareness of Fort Stockton’s history, resources, and potential with a mind toward motivating and developing Fort Stockton’s future leaders. It is also designed to assist local youth with leadership potential to provide positive influence on their peers concerning the community and provide an opportunity to create positive interaction among youth of all area high schools. This is also designed to influence youth to stay in the Fort Stockton area, to return upon completion of their education, or to become active citizens in the community in which they settle. This is a community based educational program where, Fort Stockton high school students will be challenged to become the future leaders of our community. The focuses of the training session are Leadership Skills, Local Economy, Economic Development, Education, Community Service, Career, and Investments. Youth Leadership Fort Stockton held its first training in 1998. The class was open to every senior that applied with no point system for participation. It was not until 2001, that the class program structure took a dramatic change. Under new leadership, the program was restructured to fit the same criteria as the adult leadership class. The point system was implemented along with a new application process. The number of student accepted into the program was not to exceed 12.
In 2001, application process changed to include their past 3 years of high school involvement and community service. Grade point average is not a factor in being accepted into this program. A point system is used to award three college/trade school scholarships. Points are awarded on the following: day session, 20 hours of community service, Class Project, Mentoring (Developing Young Leaders), Resume. In order to graduate from Youth Leadership, a certain level of points must be obtained. Community Service and the Mentoring Program are weighted heavily in the points system.
The following information is based on the two prior graduating classes in which scholarships were awarded: Graduated 21 students; 100% pursued higher education; 45 at risk 4th and 5th graders benefited from a mentoring program established by the youth leadership class.
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