Rising Leaders Academy 2024

The Rising Leaders Academy is a program developed by the Ames Alliance, Nevada Main Street and Story City Chamber/Main Street to develop the community leadership potential of area high school Juniors in the Story and Boone County school districts. It is a goal for us to provide area youth with a unique opportunity to interact with community leaders and institutions, to explore educational and career options and broaden their perspectives on community issues and the importance of leadership in their communities.

The Rising Leaders Academy is a youth leadership program that seeks to encourage and equip the participants to be more effective leaders in school and the community, and provide opportunities for relationship building and professional networking. The Rising Leaders Academy is an 8-month leadership experience that begins in October 2024, and concludes in May 2025.
Participants will grow in their understanding of exemplary leadership.
Participants will come away from the Rising Leaders Academy with a greater understanding of the strengths,
weaknesses, opportunities and challenges present in Story and Boone Counties.
Participants will expand his/her network of relationships while volunteering a minimum of 20 hours within Story
and Boone Counties and/or their individual communities.
Participants selected for the Rising Leaders Academy will listen to presentations, debate issues, participate in
class activities, visit area leaders, and tour facilities.
Participants will also complete a community service project.
Tuition for the Rising Leaders Academy will be free to the participating high school Juniors.
Class size will be limited to 20 participants. It is the desired goal of Ames Alliance, Nevada Main Street and Story City Chamber/Main Street that the leadership skills developed during the Rising Leaders Academy by the class participants will then be taken back into the schools during the participant’s Senior year of high school and used for the benefit of their respective
schools and classmates.

Session topics will include (subject to change):
October Orientation/Welcome & Healthcare/Mental Health
November College
December Government
January Leadership/Resume Building/Interview Skills
February Agriculture/Technology
March Nonprofit/Volunteerism
April Presentations & Graduation