For Immediate Release

Youth Leadership Academy graduates are challenged to get involved

Whitinsville, MA —Representative George Peterson opened the recent Blackstone Valley Youth Leadership Academy graduation program by stating "Leaders show up". He went on to applaud the high school students for choosing to enter the BVYLA program and complete the requirements. The Representative encouraged them to become involved wherever they are, high school now, college later, and wherever their careers would eventually bring them.

That was a theme the 22 members of the 2010 Class of the Blackstone Valley Youth Leadership Academy (BVYLA) would hear repeated by other speakers. Approximately 65 family members, community partners, school representatives, and members of the Board of Directors joined in the graduation celebration at the GB & Lexi Singh Performance Center at Alternatives' Whitin Mill.

Blackstone Valley Education Foundation Board of Directors President Lee Gaudette noted that over the years he has sat on a number of boards and committees and most often he is the youngest one at the table. "We need you, we want you to get involved" he urged the young graduates.

The graduates and their guests also heard words of encouragement from Blackstone Valley Education Foundation Executive Director Susan Gately, President and CEO of the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce, Jeannie Hebert, and Education Foundation Program Coordinator, Mary Lou Anderson. Thomas O'Neill of Senator Michael O. Moore's office brought greetings from the Senator. Representative Jennifer Callahan extended her greetings to the young leaders. Each offered congratulations to the students and encouraged them to continue to develop as young leaders and make volunteerism and stewardship a part of their future lives.

Students received certificates of completion and citations from the Massachusetts Senate and the House of Representatives. Five graduates were recognized for their perfect attendance.

An individual community service project is a requirement of graduation. Students interview community leaders and conduct a needs assessment which often leads to their project. They recruit a mentor and volunteers and plan and implement the project in the spring. 2010 projects addressed a range of needs and populations: several intergenerational projects partnered with family groups, senior centers and an elementary school; a number of projects involved collections of food, books, stuffed animals, socks, prom dresses, and money to support people oriented programs; environmental projects included several cleanups and initiation of a recycling program.

BVYLA is a unique leadership program which targets 9th and 10th grade students from member high schools across the Blackstone Valley. The Academy seeks to enhance the leadership skills of young people and strengthen their connection to the Blackstone Valley. The Class of 2010 marks the sixth group of students to complete the program, which now boasts 137 alumnae. From November to May, students participate in 12 sessions covering a range of topics and skills areas, including team building, leadership styles, communication skills, community needs assessments, project planning, goal setting, decision making and consensus building. Students also participate in a career exploration session and engage in a mock town meeting.

BVYLA is a program of the Blackstone Valley Education Foundation and is supported in part by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Connecting Activities grant, business and private donors, and member school districts.

For more information, contact Mary Lou Anderson at 508-234-9090, x101 or email mlanderson@blackstonevalley.org

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About the Education Foundation

The Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation, Inc. is the not-for-profit umbrella organization for all Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce school-business related activities and cultural programs. Our Mission: To lead and support education that promotes workforce development and enhances the quality of life in the Blackstone Valley.

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About the Chamber

The mission of the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce is to promote the economic vitality of the Blackstone Valley and meet the needs of the Chamber's business members, while providing leadership on issues which impact the economy and quality of life in the Valley. For more information on the Chamber please contact administrator@blackstonevalley.org or call 508 234 9090 X101.