This year, NDA had two sophomores participate in the year-long Teen Leadership Program conducted by the Greater Green Bay of Commerce. The program is designed to teach teenagers the skills of leadership and the importance of their community. They have business meetings once a month with business leaders, professors and other community members. 

According to sophomores Emmett Lawton and James Shade,  they have learned the value of a community and through the program have been able to help individuals in need.

There are many ways this program has taught Emmett and James about leadership. This was done through organizational and team skills. It has taught them to work together instead of separately. Through covid, more individuals are self-centered, and this is a way to get communication skills back.

“I grew as a leader because I learned to respect the commitments of others. Sometimes, you can’t have your way but working around that and still conquering a task is what makes a true leader,” said Lawton.

This program is highly recommended for freshmen. When you sign up for this program, make sure you go in with an open mind. You should also reflect on what you learned. This program teaches many beneficial lessons and provides an opportunity and challenge for personal growth.

“I think I would tell a freshman to apply to the program because it will broaden their perspective. The freshman will get a chance to work with a lot of different students from all over the Green Bay area and will gain a lot of valuable skills from all of the monthly presentations and the community project that they will put together,” said Shade.

This is a program with many credible sources and speakers. These speakers have taught Lawton and Shade what their companies were all about and the importance of a community. Joy, a sense of self-pride and lifelong friends are a few of the benefits they see as by-products of the experience.

If you are interested in this program, you will have to apply. The applications are due in May with a series of questions that you will need to answer. After you answer these questions, you will have to create a presentation about a need in your community.