Our Mission
Leadership Fayette County’s mission is to inspire our youth to engage in their communities and enhance a sense of place through mentorship, experiential education, and scholarships.
Our Vision
Our vision is to empower every Fayette County student to reach their full leadership potential through ongoing innovative programming to become long-term advocates for West Virginia.
Skill Building Sessions
There is Power in Unity: Building a Young Leadership Team
This session is an immersive development experience designed to transform a collection of young individuals into a high-performing team. By navigating a series of progressively challenging activities, participants will sharpen their communication, master collective problem-solving, and build a foundation of trust. Beyond the physical adventure, the program emphasizes personal resilience and self-confidence, concluding with facilitated debriefs that translate these breakthroughs into actionable skills for the workplace or classroom.
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Speaking Truth to Power! Leadership styles, Context, and Major Issues
This session grounds participants in the unique socio-economic landscape of the region, beginning with an exploration of Appalachian leadership through the lens of a local, region, or state leader. By engaging with a professional who has navigated the specific complexities of the area, students gain a "sense of place" and a firsthand look at the resilience and adaptability required to lead in a 21st-century context. The experience then shifts to an active, hands-on workshop where participants begin their "Speaking Truth to Power" journey.
Power Through Improv! Making Public Speaking Fun
This session transforms traditional communication training into an energetic, low-stakes environment where students learn to think on their feet. Led by a professional actor, the morning kicks off with high-energy improv exercises designed to break down inhibitions, encourage bold risk-taking, and sharpen mental adaptability. By blending theatrical play with critical thinking, the session empowers participants to find their authentic voices and turn the daunting task of public speaking into a collaborative and enjoyable experience.
Critical Thinking for Young Leaders
This is critical thinking for young leaders! Navigating Complexity In an era of information overload, the ability to dissect complex problems is a superpower. This session moves beyond theory, placing students in the "hot seat" of real-world scenarios. Led by veteran leadership experts, participants will master the art of the decentralized decision-making process. By analyzing a single problem from multiple stakeholder perspectives, students learn that high-level leadership isn't just about finding an answer—it’s about weighing the ripple effects of every choice to find the right one.
Storytelling, Changemakers, and Service
In the session students explore the intersection of narrative and social impact by engaging with a diverse panel of West Virginia’s most influential voices. The morning begins with a masterclass in how powerful communication shapes public perception. This foundational knowledge is then put into practice during a dynamic roundtable with "Changemakers" from the fields of policy, activism, and the arts. Afterwards, students refine their "Speaking Truth to Power" presentations, receiving direct feedback from local leaders.
Cracking the College Code: Smart Strategies for the Next Step!
This session offers a high-level roadmap for students navigating the transition to higher education. This powerhouse event features a panel of higher education professionals to demystify the college entry process and provide essential preparation strategies. Designed to connect participants with the specific resources needed to meet enrollment requirements, this inclusive session welcomes current students, alumni, and previous applicants to gain a competitive edge in their academic pursuits.
Cooking, Creativity, and Conversation
This session is where culinary teamwork meets civic advocacy. In this unique experiential learning environment, students will step into a commercial kitchen to prepare and serve lunch for invited local dignitaries. However, the meal is more than a service project; it acts as the platform for the "Speaking Truth to Power" presentations. Before the first course is served, students will pitch their researched solutions for Fayette County to the very leaders who have the authority to implement change. This session challenges participants to balance the precision of culinary arts with the persuasive power of public speaking, proving that meaningful community dialogue often begins around the dinner table.
The Sophomore Sales Pitch
The session serves as a high-impact practicum where students transition from learners to ambassadors, honing the art of persuasion and public speaking. Tasked with recruiting the next generation of Fayette County leaders, participants will travel to each high school in the county to deliver a compelling overview of their personal journey within the program. By sharing authentic stories of their experiences and demystifying the application process for current 10th graders, students must adapt their communication style to resonate with a peer audience. This field-based session concludes with a live Q&A, challenging the speakers to think on their feet, provide credible information, and inspire their successors to take the leap into leadership.
New River Birding Festival
This annual session offers a unique opportunity for students to immerse themselves in one of the region’s premier events while exploring the vital mechanics of non-profit partnerships. By spending a day alongside world-class naturalists, participants will engage in hands-on ecological education and network with diverse guests, gaining a firsthand look at how nature-based tourism drives the local economy. Beyond the educational activities, this session emphasizes the "art of gratitude"; students will act as ambassadors for LFC, personally thanking the organizers and donors whose sponsorship makes their leadership programming possible.
The Graduation Ceremony
The capstone of the year, the "LFC Graduation and Scholarship Ceremony," is a formal celebration of leadership, growth, and future potential. This milestone evening brings together local dignitaries, higher education professionals, and families to witness the culmination of the students' hard work. As a final demonstration of their public speaking skills, each graduate will deliver a five-minute speech reflecting on their transformative journey and the insights gained throughout the program. The event features a celebratory banquet and concludes with the presentation of a $1,000 scholarship for each student, providing tangible support for their transition into post-secondary education and honoring their commitment to becoming the next generation of Fayette County changemakers.
Our Partners
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