Charger News

Leadership Putnam Youth Academy sign-ups soon

Kathleen Robles, Charger Staff

This year several sophomores will have the pleasure of attending LPYA, or Leadership Putnam Youth Academy.

Not only does this week-long program look good on college applications, but it also gives the members a sense of how business and local government work. The program gives twenty-four students from three high schools a chance to see what it is like running a full time business from the owner’s point of view.

Last year’s sophomores visited places like Habitat for Humanity, Clear Channel Communications, and the construction sight for the new Upperman High School.

The first day of the program is the Opening Retreat, where the members spend the day at Tennessee Tech University. All the members will associate and meet students from the other schools and get a group photo.
During that day all the members will compete and work together in activities led by past adult Leadership Putnam Academy members. The day ends in a sleep over.

Day Two, Business and Economic Day, is a tour of local businesses. Last year’s class visited Lowes and Lamar Advertising, seeing what it was like running the business. The breaks were provided by many local business and made the day worthwhile. Guest speakers who discussed such helpful topics as Leadership Skills.

Day Three, Government Day, is the day that LYPA goes to the Putnam County Justice Center. Meeting with the County Executive, members attended mock trials. Tours of the jail and learning about how things are run are also included that day. A mock council meeting is also conducted.

Day Four, Human Needs & Services Day, is a day like no other, when LYPA meets with people from Pacesetters and children at Kids Putnam. Speakers for Americorps speak with the members. There is even a tour of the hospital.

Day Five, Quality of Life & Graduation Day, is the close to this very enlightening program. The final day ends with graduation!

Sign ups for LYPA are usually held in February. The deadlines are in March.

The program itself is held in June, and the fee is fifty dollars. See your counselor in the Counseling Center for application forms.

~Article prepared for web by Steven Linger and Joy Wheeler~