Cobb Chamber of Commerce

Cobb Youth Leadership 

   The Leadership Cobb Alumni Association (LCAA) sponsors Cobb Youth Leadership (CYL), a leadership program for rising high school juniors that focuses on developing leadership skills through interactive participation. 

   CYL Schedule of Events

What is the purpose of CYL?
To provide students a unique opportunity to learn about their community as well as meet and interact with students from other high schools.

Who can participate in CYL?
Students attending public or private high schools or home-school students in Cobb County must complete and submit applications for CYL in the spring of their sophomore year.  Applications are reviewed by the CYL Steering Committee and approximately 50 students are chosen from the class.  Students participate in the program during their junior year of high school.

What are some of the activities of CYL?
Through approximately five evening programs during the course of the school year participants in the CYL program are introduced to local, state and national leaders.  They also receive information on the responsibility, ethics and tools for effective leadership. The monthly programs run from October through February. Students also participate in two retreats where they focus on team building, personality inventories and additional leadership topics such as cultural diversity and community service.

When does CYL meet?
An orientation takes place in August along with a Fall Retreat in September.  Following the retreat, evening programs are held monthly September through March.  The year concludes with a spring retreat held in late March/early April.

What costs are associated with being a part of CYL?
Current tuition for selected students is $400.00.

Who is in charge of CYL?
CYL is governed by a steering committee comprised of Leadership Cobb Alumni and high school seniors as recent graduates of CYL.

When did CYL begin?
1989

How does someone learn more about CYL?
Contact the Leadership Cobb Alumni Association through the Cobb Chamber of Commerce.

How can someone provide assistance to CYL? 
By serving on the CYL Steering Committee, providing financial assistance to a candidate who is unable to pay the tuition or by sponsoring a program for CYL.

Personal Testimonies from the Class of 2009: 

"Thanks to Cobb Youth Leadership I was able to make connections with people who can help me reach goals that I wouldn’t have met otherwise, and in the process help better my community."
Katie Winokur, Walton High School

"It is so nice to meet people who have a lot in common with me, more so than most of the kids I go to school with. It seems like every time I see one of my high school's sports events I can go talk to someone I know who is cheering or even playing on the other team."
Ben Tillman, Campbell High School

"I have absolutely loved CYL this year and have had a great experience overall. I have met so many new people and have learned so much about our county."
Lauren Worley, Kennesaw Mountain High School

"I love the great experiences and all the new and exciting people I have met. This experience has been exciting and extremely educational."
Fitz Johnson, Jr., Marietta High School 

   For more information about CYL, please click here or contact Katie Edfeldt at 770-859-2334 or kedfeldt@cobbchamber.org.