WINTER 2007-2008 |  Volume 4 : Issue 1

Young Leaders Program Develops Thoughtful
and Committed Citizens

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; for indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”  – Margaret Mead

The Young Leaders Program (YLP) is offered to a select group of nominated ESF alumni campers.  The program is geared toward preparing high school students to be future leaders.  It also provides a pathway for ESF alumni campers to transition into the role of an ESF Team member through an innovative and interactive program, focusing on both personal and professional development.  ESF recognizes that different passions motivate and inspire our YLP’s.  With that in mind, two tracks of the program were developed.  Students could interview for the Civic Service Track or the Educational Leadership Track.   Both tracks focused on leadership development; however, the Civic Service Track focused on service in an urban setting while the Educational Leadership Track focused on service in a setting of their peers.  This summer, eighteen “thoughtful and committed citizens” gave up their time for five weeks this summer to help others.

The YLP’s were honored on November 9th at the First Annual Young Leadership Celebration.  Almost all of the YLP’s were able to make it to the event, which was dedicated to their accomplishments this past summer.  Some of these accomplishments included:  running morning assembly, writing a speech to nominate someone for the Noble Peace Prize, presenting that speech to a Board of Directors, organizing the end of the year talent show, running World League, and weekly challenges based on different leadership development skills.

The YLP’s not only met our expectations but blew us out of the water with their compassion, dedication, and ability to rise to the occasion.  This group was an amazing collection of young leaders for which ESF is very proud.  We are truly confident that this group of young, thoughtful, and committed citizens will make a difference in this world!  Congratulations to all of the YLP’s, their directors, and their families!

The 2007 Participants of the Young Leaders Program:

• Eileen Flynn:                             The Episcopal Academy
• Grove Stewart:                          Girard College
• Mallory Frank:                          Girard College
• Briana White:                            Girard College
• Katie Story:                               Girard College
• Ariel Sugarman-Orens:            Girard College
• Michael Magnetta:                   Girard College
• Jacob Snider:                             Girard College
• Amy Lowitt:                               Gilman School
• Gabriel Burgess:                        Gilman School
• Taylor Pratt:                               The Haverford School
• Alyssa Drobatz:                        The Haverford School
• Andrew Lalli:                             The Lawrenceville School
• Chris McNulty:                         The Lawrenceville School
• Jeremy Eith:                               Moorestown Friends School
• Ryan Mathern:                          Moorestown Friends School
• Daniel Siegeltuch:                     Moorestown Friends School
• Sam Brenman:                            Norwood-Fontbonne Academy
                                                       at Chestnut Hill College