Junior Leadership Northeast Class of 2026 Application

Junior Leadership Northeast Class of 2026 Application
Thank you for your interest in the Junior Leadership Northeast (JLNE) Class of 2026. Below you will find information about the JLNE program and instructions for the selection process. If you need more information, please contact the Leadership Northeast office at (570) 270-5323 or email nicole@leadershipnortheast.org.
Junior Leadership Northeast Program Description
Junior Leadership Northeast (JLNE) is a transformative personal and professional leadership development program for high school juniors that provides training techniques to advance leadership skills while increasing community awareness and a sense of civic responsibility to affect positive change. The program began in the 1987 school year, and is one of six programs offered by Leadership Northeast, whose mission is to develop leaders for the community. JLNE is guided by a Program Director and an Advisory Board that is made up of a cross-section of community leaders and student graduates of the program. The program has the support of 20 Northeastern Pennsylvania high schools, PSEA, local colleges and universities, as well as dozens of corporations and individuals throughout the community.

Junior Leadership Northeast offers students the opportunity to work with adult community leaders through day-long programs held over a nine-month period. These sessions focus on leadership skills, communication skills, team development, problem-solving, citizenship/government, media/communications, community challenges, community service, and emotional intelligence, among other skills. This in-depth curriculum acquaints participants with community needs, opportunities, challenges and resources.
Program Objectives
The principal objectives of JLNE are to:
- Encourage students to recognize their own potential and develop their leadership and interpersonal skills
- Acquaint students with community needs, resources, and other factors that influence the direction of Northeastern Pennsylvania and beyond
- Provide opportunities for a diverse group of students to interact with each other and with community leaders and decision-makers
- Foster student interest in volunteerism and community service
Program Structure
- JLNE programs for the Class of 2026 will take place monthly from September 2025 through May 2026. School attendance credit will be granted for each session attended. Participants will receive a Program Calendar upon acceptance for scheduling purposes. Most program days begin at 8:00 am and end by 3:30 pm.
- Programs will be held at various locations throughout Luzerne County and the surrounding region. Transportation is the responsibility of the participant.
- Breakfast and lunch will be provided at programs unless otherwise specified.
- Participants complete a Community Impact Project and will be required to attend project meetings outside of scheduled program times.
Applicant Eligibility
Students from all public, parochial, charter, and private schools in Northeast Pennsylvania who will be entering their Junior year in the fall of 2025 are eligible.

Permission from your school guidance office is required to apply.

Additionally, Junior Leadership applicants should have:
- An expressed interest in understanding and serving the community
- Enthusiasm and commitment to participate in the program
- Demonstrated or potential leadership ability
Please consider that the Junior Leadership Northeast experience is a nine-month commitment that requires your time at programs (scheduled once a month during the school day), as well as your time at Community Impact Project team meetings (scheduled by your team outside of school and/or program hours). Participation in the project is a graduation requirement and will be monitored throughout the year.
Selection Process
- Students compete exclusively with applicants from their own school for a place in the JLNE Class of 2026
- Applications are redacted and reviewed by a volunteer committee of Leadership alumni (both students and adults) who make up our Junior Leadership Selection Committee
- Using the selection criteria, the JLNE Selection Committee will review and score the first 20 completed applications received from each school
- Written application finalists will be invited to a group interview with the JLNE Selection Committee in April, 2025 held at King's College in Wilkes-Barre.
- Scores from the written application (50 points) and group interviews (50 points) are totaled. Highest scores (out of 100 points) earn acceptance.
- All applicants will be notified in writing of the Selection Committee's decision by May 16, 2025.
Tips to Applicants:
- Applications must be typed and submitted digitally through this portal.
- All applicant answers and essays are required to be on the application form (no attachments will be reviewed)
- Please note that the essays are heavily weighted by the Selection Committee.
Application Process
- Obtain permission from your guidance office to apply to the Junior Leadership Northeast program.
- Submit the online application and the $40 application fee (check/money order/credit card) *If this fee is a hardship and a barrier to application, please contact the Leadership office at (570) 270-5323 to request that this fee be waived.
- Submit TWO Student Leadership Assessments: Must be completed by two adults (other than your parent or relative) who have known you for more than one year. At least one reference MUST be from a high school teacher. A link to the Student Assessment form can be found here and on the Leadership Northeast website.
- The application deadline is Friday, February 28, 2025. *Check with your guidance department to find out if an internal school deadline has been set.
- Only the first 20 completed applications (including Assessments and the $40 processing fee) received from each school by the established deadline will be eligible for consideration. You will receive a confirmation email from Nicole Hurchick once the Leadership Northeast office has received all required materials for your application packet.
Questions and concerns should be directed to nicole@leadershipnortheast.org.
Artificial Intelligence Use in the JLNE Application Process

The selection process for Junior Leadership Northeast has been rooted in fairness and integrity since inception, and in order to ensure an equitable process, we require that all application materials, including essays and responses to short answer questions, be the work of the applicant alone. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools, including but not limited to language models, automated writing assistants, and content generation software, to draft, edit, or enhance any portion of your application is strictly prohibited.

By submitting your application, you affirm that all responses are entirely your own work and that you have not used AI tools to generate or modify any part of your application materials. Any suspected use of AI to create or assist with application content may result in disqualification from consideration for admission.

We encourage you to showcase your authentic voice and individual perspective throughout the application process. If you have any questions or concerns about this policy, please feel free to reach out to the Leadership Northeast office for clarification.

Personal Information
Name*

First NameLast Name
Name you prefer to be called*
Applicant Phone Number (Cell number if available)*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Mailing Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Applicant Email (non-school email preferred and should NOT be a parent email)*
example@example.com
Date of Birth*

MonthDayYear
Date
With which gender identity do you most identify?
Name of School District*
Name of School*
Year You Will Graduate*
Parent/Guardian Full Name*
Parent/Guardian Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.

References: Student Leadership Assessment
Junior Leadership applicants are required to provide two references who will complete a Student Assessment Form on your behalf. Please send the Assessment forms (available here and on the Leadership Northeast website) to two different adults who have known you for more than one year (cannot be a parent or relative). At least one assessment must be a high school teacher. (These assessments should be submitted online directly to the Leadership Northeast office).
Name of First Reference*

First NameLast Name
Position/Title
Place of Employment
Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Email*
example@example.com
Name of Second Reference*

First NameLast Name
Position/Title
Place of Employment
Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Email*
example@example.com
Your school guidance counselor must be aware that you're applying to Junior Leadership Northeast. Check the following box to confirm that you have received permission from the guidance office to apply.*

Yes. I have received permission from my school guidance office to apply for Junior Leadership Northeast Class of 2026.
Guidance Counselor Name*

First NameLast Name
Guidance Counselor Email Adress*
example@example.com

Attendance
Full participation is essential if the Junior Leadership Northeast program is to meet its objectives. School attendance credit is granted for each session attended. Excess of two absences will result in removal from the program.

Sign below to agree to the following commitment:

If selected to participate in the Junior Leadership Northeast Class of 2026, I commit to attending each of the program sessions. I understand that transportation is the responsibility of each participant, and if I miss more than two programs, I am not eligible to successfully complete the Junior Leadership Northeast program.
Signature*

Clear
Date*

MonthDayYear
Date

Essays
1. Junior Leadership Northeast is an intensive nine-month leadership development program that is designed to challenge you personally and professionally. Successful completion of this experience will require your dedication to participate in both the learning process and a community impact project through May of 2026. What has motivated you to apply?*
2. Why are effective leadership skills important? Tell us about a time when you experienced ineffective leadership and how did it impact you?*
3. Discuss a challenge that you have faced in your life. What lessons did you learn from the experience?*
4. What would you like us to know about you that we have not learned through other parts of this application?*

Activities/Organizations
1. Please list in numbered format (1, 2, 3, etc.), in order of importance to you, any school, employment, volunteer, religious, social, athletic, or other activities and/or organizations in which you have participated within the past 2 years. Also, include your length of involvement with each activity.*
The following question is optional:
Have you experienced any personal barriers that have prevented or limited your access or ability to participate in activities? If yes, please explain.
2. Select one activity/organization listed above and briefly explain how your participation has been of benefit to you and the organization.*
3. How do you hold yourself accountable for the responsibilities/activities you've listed above?*

Payment
If you would like to pay the $40 application fee online, please do so below. Please note that a 4% credit card processing fee applies.

If you'd like to pay with a check or money order, please mail payment to:

Leadership Northeast
ATTN: Junior Leadership
4 Public Square
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701

If this fee is a hardship and a barrier to application, please contact the Leadership office at (570) 270-5323 to request that this fee be waived.
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You are about to submit your application for the Junior Leadership Northeast Class of 2026. Please remember that your application will not be processed until the Leadership Northeast office receives:
1. Electronic application completed by the student
2. TWO Student Assessment forms completed and submitted digitally by references as required
3. $40 application fee:
  - Pay online on the previous page.
  - Mail check or money order to Leadership Northeast office at 4 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701.
  - Call the Leadership Northeast office at 570-270-5323 to pay with a credit card. Please note that a 4% credit card processing fee applies. *If this fee is a hardship and a barrier to application, please contact the Leadership office at (570) 270-5323 to request that this fee be waived.
You will receive a confirmation email from Nicole Hurchick once the Leadership Northeast office has received all required materials for your application packet.
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Junior Leadership Northeast Class of 2026 Application

Junior Leadership Northeast Program Description

Program Objectives

Program Structure

Applicant Eligibility

Selection Process

Application Process

Personal Information

References: Student Leadership Assessment

Attendance

Essays

Activities/Organizations

Payment