Photo courtesy of @ylvhhs Instagram
Youth Leadership (YL) has been a class at Vestavia for 20 years. For many years, Mrs. Prewitt taught the class, but this year, Mrs. Sweeney and Mrs. Cooper have stepped into the role. They offer two different levels- YL 1 for juniors and YL 2 for seniors looking to take their skills to the next level. According to Mrs. Cooper, level one teaches students leadership competencies, such as active listening and time management, while level two allows students to apply these skills. Both classes require an application to enroll. Level two also offers students the opportunity to serve as RISE committee chairs and YL officers. RISE committees orchestrate different YL events throughout the year, such as the Rebel Run and the Sadie Hawkin’s dance.
One of the activities offered to YL students is mentoring, which involves building a relationship with an elementary student each week. The kids in the program are intentionally hand-selected by their school counselor, whether the child has something difficult happening at home or is struggling with behavioral issues. Mentoring allows students to put their leadership competencies to work in various ways and gives students the opportunity to be role models and invest in a deep relationship, skills they will need for their future.
YL students also take personality tests and learn the characteristics of a good leader to strengthen self-awareness and build leadership skills. This class helps students become better in tune with themselves and their classmates, allowing them to better serve their community. By learning how to interact with others, students are equipped to break down social barriers and build strong relationships with peers.
The YL class provides students with many opportunities to get involved at their school. Mrs. Cooper says her favorite thing about teaching the class is “creating a service project that connects what we are learning in the classroom with the action of serving.” Some service opportunities include serving on RISE teams and committees and participating in mentoring. This week, YL students helped SGA with the canned food drive, organizing and collecting cans from classrooms. Service opportunities like these teach students the importance of service and leadership in their community.
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