Youth Leadership Forsyth (YLF), the county's only leadership development program of its kind, is currently seeking outstanding high school juniors for the Class of 2009. Established in 2000, YLF provides students from public, private and home school an opportunity to meet their peers from across the county while developing life-long leadership skills, service learning and a deeper understanding of their home community.

“Youth Leadership Forsyth is like no other program in our county,” said Vicky Clair, administrative director of Leadership Forsyth. “Our eight-month program provides students with a deep level of enrichment and leadership training, as well as an opportunity to meet other student leaders from different schools and walks of life. Past participants have said the program had a huge impact on their lives.”

Participants in the program take part in four half-day sessions, held on Forsyth County Schools' early release days, and two full-day sessions, as well as an orientation, Leadership Summit evening retreat and graduation ceremony. Sessions begin in September and run through March, with graduation in April.

“We're especially excited about this year's YLF schedule and curriculum,” said Judi Jenkins, 2009 YLF class coordinator. “In addition to the outstanding leadership training based on John C. Maxwell's '21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership,' the YLF Class of 2009 will also spend time gaining in depth information about Cumming, Forsyth County and Georgia's government, people and needs. We have also partnered with the Forsyth County YMCA to provide numerous opportunities for class participants to volunteer in the community. And the best part is that all of this knowledge will come along with a lot of fun too. Our Leadership Summit and every class session will be jammed packed with activities that the students will have a blast participating in.”

Applications are currently being accepted for the YLF Class of 2009. Each year, more than 100 applications are submitted and only the top 36 to 38 students are chosen. Students interested in this year's YLF class should:

• Have demonstrated leadership in school and community activities
• A Grade Point Average of at least 2.5
• Be interested in developing and increasing their leadership abilities
• Express an interest in furthering their knowledge of Cumming and Forsyth County
• Commit to full participation at all class days
• Have approval of their parents or guardian and school principal (when applicable)

The application deadline is Tuesday, September 2, 2008. For more information or to obtain an application, contact Judi Jenkins at 770-887-2461, ext. 203364 or email jjenkins@forsyth.k12.ga.us.