Youth Leadership Hall

Youth Leadership Hall (YLH) is a leadership development program for high school juniors and seniors.   Founded in 2005, the program seeks to build individual leadership skills, foster positive group dynamics and increase civic and community involvement.  Over 1,100 students have successfully completed the program through a series of sessions combining lectures and tours on such topics as the Judicial System, Economic Development, Social Services and Career Development.

While each year follows a similar format, programs adjusted to meet the specific needs and interests of the class while also staying abreast of current events.  Students network with business leaders throughout community and gain career knowledge from a large variety of resources.  Benefits include:

  • Gaining valuable leadership and communication skills, while realizing the importance of a team
  • Building a sense of civic responsibility and servant leadership by participating in community service projects
  • Developing relationships with others from different ethnic, religious, and cultural groups
  • Sharing hands-on activities and team building exercises outside of the classroom walls
  • Becoming confident, self-motivated leaders ready to make their mark in our community

APPLICATION PROCESS

For public and private high school students:
The selection process begins in November each year with application information sent to each school.  Educators nominate students.  Potential participants are asked to complete an application and provide a letter of reference from a community leader.  Previous applicants who were not chosen may reapply the following year, if eligible.

Review of final nominations from each school occurs in February and March by a Selection Committee comprised of Leadership Hall County graduates and members of the business community.  The Selection Committee strives to achieve balance in the class by ensuring diversity of race, ethnicity, gender, and schools. All applicants are notified of the results of the selection process in April of each year.

Link to complete application:
2024-25 Youth Leadership Hall Application
Once completed, mail application to:
Greater Hall Chamber
Attn:  Youth Leadership Hall
P.O. Box 374
Gainesville, GA 30503

CONTACTS
Cherokee Bluff High School – Carin Booth
Chestatee High School – Holli Howard
East Hall High School – Kami Kovach
Flowery Branch High School – Christy Carter
Gainesville High School – Brett Dillin
Johnson High School – Cree Aiken
Lakeview Academy – Mike Lawley
Lanier Christian Academy – Renee Cook
Lanier College and Career Academy – Kim Guy
North Hall High School – KayLynn Samples
Riverside Military Academy – Col. Bob Cagle
West Hall High School – Cammie Carter

For Homeschoolers:
A Homeschool Selection Committee assembled by Program Advisory Committee Team members will review all applications, and written notifications of status into the program will be sent to all interviewed applicants.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Class members are chosen by their own merits based upon their application.  The committee seeks representation from a cross-section of each school and must be a rising junior or senior in high school in Gainesville-Hall County.

For more information, contact Lisa McCormack, VP Education & Leadership, 770-532-6206 x 113.  Email lmccormack@ghcc.com.