2025 Teen Leadership Waco Application

2025 Teen Leadership Waco Application

A Program of the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce
What is Teen Leadership Waco?

Teen Leadership Waco (TLW) is an exciting program run by the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce, offering students a chance to learn about leadership, explore careers, and connect with Waco’s community leaders. Modeled after the Chamber's Leadership Waco program, TLW provides a behind-the-scenes look at the history, government, and social and economic dynamics that keep our community running.

Through the program, you’ll meet with leaders from various sectors in Waco, learn leadership skills, gain career insights, and explore the real challenges they face in their roles. You’ll also participate in team-building and leadership development sessions designed to help you grow alongside your classmates.

Why Join Teen Leadership Waco?

-Meet and befriend students from across the county.
-Learn skills to help you grow as a leader.
-Develop as a community leader and problem-solver.
-Discover how different sectors of our community work together.
-Become an engaged citizen who works with others for the good of our community.
-It looks great on your resume!

Who Can Apply?

TLW is open to high school sophomores and juniors from public and private schools in McLennan County, including homeschooled students. The selection process is competitive, with only 25 students chosen each year by a team of Chamber volunteers who review each application closely. Make sure to put time and thought into your application to show your commitment to leadership and community!

What’s the Time Commitment?

Classes meet one Monday per month from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, with an additional service day (likely on a weekend) during the program. You will only be permitted to miss one class day, so please look at your calendar to make sure you can be present each day.

Please note: TLW runs the calendar year (February 2025-December 2025).

Questions?

Contact Rachel Ligon at the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce
rligon@wacochamber.com
(254) 757-5613
Please complete and submit this entire application form. Your application will be considered complete when all of the items in the application checklist below are submitted:

Completed application form, including typed responses to all essay questionsSchool Transcript (unofficial) - upload belowTwo letters of recommendation: One letter from a teacher or school counselor. One letter from an adult who knows you outside of school. This can be a family friend, employer, someone from your church or a volunteer organization, or a faculty advisor for a school organization. (Note: This person should not be a family member.)High resolution headshot that can be used for marketing purposes.$25 non-refundable application fee (to be paid below with credit card)
Please be aware that prior to final selections TLW make every effort to communicate with the appropriate representatives from each school confirming the eligibility of the applicant's status in order to participate in the program. Since the program depends on the school's participation and approval from the district with regard to absences we need concurrence with school administration.

2025 TENTATIVE PROGRAM DATES

The success of the TLW Program depends on your commitment to the program's entire schedule. Program hours are from 8:00am to 3:30pm each class day. Dates and times are subject to change. A final calendar will be provided at the Parent Orientation.
Application deadline: Friday, Dec. 20th at noon

Parent Orientation: Monday, January 27, 2025 at 6 - 7:30 pm

Class of 2024 Graduation: Sunday, January 19, 2025

Class 1 - Orientation Retreat - February 3, 2025

Class 2 - Leadership Development - March 3, 2025

Class 3 - History Day - April 7, 2025

Class 4 - Economic Development Day - May 5, 2025

Summer Break: June - August

Class 5 - Community Partners Day - September 8, 2025

Class 6 - City & County Day - October 6, 2025

Class 7 - Healthcare & Education Day - November 3, 2025

Class 8 - Law & Order Day - December 8, 2025

Dates and times are subject to change. A final calendar will be provided at the Parent Orientation.
SELECTION PROCESS
Application Deadline

Application deadline is noon on Friday, December 20th.

Selection

Waco Chamber volunteers representing diverse sectors of the community will review completed applications. Volunteers will score applications and the top 25 applicants across all of the schools represented will have final approval by the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce's Executive Committee prior to being accepted. Please note that the committee gives the most weight to the Reflection Questions.
TUITION AND FINANCIAL AID
Tuition for the Teen Leadership Waco (TLW) Program is $525.

If you are selected, the non-refundable $25 application fee will be credited toward your tuition.

A $100 sponsorship from a local business or community member is required as part of your tuition.

To secure your spot, an initial payment of $250 is due by the March class date, with the remaining balance due before summer break. Please note that no refunds are available. Partial scholarships and extended payment plans may be available to assist with tuition.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
1. Applicant must be classified as a sophomore or junior in high school as of September 1st of the current school year.

2. Applicant agrees to participate in the Teen Leadership Opening Retreat on February 3, 2025 from 8am to 3pm.

3. Applicant agrees to participate in a community service project as a group with their other class members.

4. Applicants agrees to complete 28 hours of community service hours during the 8 months of the program.

5. Applicant agrees to attend a minimum of 6 monthly workshops. Unexcused absences may result in termination from the program.

Demographic Information
Name*

First NameLast Name
Mobile Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Best e-mail address to receive information about TLW*
example@example.com
Parent/Guardian Name*

First NameLast Name
Parent/Guardian Mobile Phone*
Parent/Guardian Email Address*
example@example.com
Grade during 2024-2025 school year*
GPA*
High School Name*
Counselor's Name*
Counselor's Email*
Counselor's Telephone Number*

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

Please provide thoughtful and insightful answers to the following questions. Your answers will be read and scored by the selection committee to determine who will be invited to join the Teen Leadership Waco class.
Introduce Yourself. We want to know you.

Each answer should be 2-5 well-constructed sentences.
1. Provide information about yourself as a student - Academic, Athletic, Class Leadership Positions (include all extra-curricular school activities, interests, awards and special accomplishments).*
2. List your volunteer experience and/or employment history. List any other community involvement, community recognition or special accomplishments.*
3. What have you learned about needs in the community or what have you learned about yourself from your volunteer experiences?*
What are your thoughts about leadership?

Each answer should be 2-5 well-constructed sentences.
1. What are the five most important characteristics of a leader?*
2. What part of being a leader comes most naturally to you and what part is most challenging?*
3. Who is someone that you admire and why?*
3. Select two of the essay prompts below to answer.

Identify and explain your position on the topic. Support your position with specific examples, and explain your reasoning clearly. Keep your response to 500 words or less.
Select two of the following topic.*

Are we too dependent on computers or technology in general?Is homework helpful or harmful?What should be done to stop cyber-bullying?Do leaders have moral obligations?What makes Waco special?
Essay #1*

0/500
Essay #2*

0/500

Final Application Details, Document Uploads & Payment Info
Unofficial Transcript Upload*

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High Resolution Headshot Upload*

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Two Letters of Recommendation Upload*

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All applications will be reviewed by the Review and Recommendation Committee and then submitted to the Executive Committee for final review and selection.

Notifications will be sent out by mid January.

Please pay your application fee below. Applications will not be considered complete until payment is received.

If you have any questions regarding your application, please contact Rachel Ligon at rligon@wacochamber.com

My Products*

Application Fee

$25.00 Quantity

Total

$0.00

Credit Card

TLW MARKETING AND RECRUITMENT

To assist the Chamber in improving its program recruitment, please state how you learned about the TLW program. Please be as specific as possible.
CounselorTLW AlumniWebsitePublicationTeacherSocial Media
Should be Empty:

2025 Teen Leadership Waco Application

2025 TENTATIVE PROGRAM DATES

SELECTION PROCESS

TUITION AND FINANCIAL AID

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Demographic Information

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

Introduce Yourself. We want to know you.

What are your thoughts about leadership?

3. Select two of the essay prompts below to answer.

Final Application Details, Document Uploads & Payment Info

Credit Card

TLW MARKETING AND RECRUITMENT