Youth Leadership Academy

The Annual Youth Leadership Academy is an LGS tradition and one of our various group projects. Held at CCU, we hosted over 400 high school sophomores from 45 schools in 9 counties who were personally selected by their counselors as leaders in the school.

Our class had been prepping for this big day for over 5 months. Sub-committees were formed, breakout sessions were chosen, schools were contacted, funds were raised, supplies were gathered, logistics were organized, facilitators were trained – it was a huge undertaking and our group leaders Daniel and Casey did an incredible job of keeping everyone on task.

The agenda was full and started with our Keynote speakers for the day, Dr. David DeCenzo, President of CCU, Brad Dean, CEO of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, and CCU Assistant Football Coach, Cory Bailey. A new addition this year was a live Twitter feed during the opening speeches. Students were encouraged to tweet about their experience using the hashtag #yla2014. It was such a hit that we ended up trending at the #2 national spot that morning!

The students split up into their breakout sessions with their facilitators to work on their exercises, followed by lunch in the Edwards Courtyard. The day concluded with a fabulous performance from All That! the hip hop clogging group and they really ended the day on a high note. It was a hugely successful event and I know all of us were proud to be a part of it.

Pre-Event Group Photo

Social Media Gals with the Live Twitter Feed

Students working on the "Tallest Tower" exercise