YLT CLASS 23 APPLICATION (2026-2027)

CLASS 23 APPLICATION (2026-2027)

To be eligible to apply to the YLT program, you must be a current High School sophomore residing in Leon County.
Youth Leadership Tallahassee brings together a diverse group of high school juniors from public, private, and home schools in Tallahassee who have demonstrated leadership potential in formal & informal situations, preparing them to become ethical leaders committed to active community involvement.

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Completed applications are due Friday, February 6, 2026 by 5PM.

There are THREE STEPS to this application:

1. Complete this online Application.

2. Provide contact information for your Parent/Guardian(s). They must complete a Permission Form online authorizing your participation.

3. Provide name and contact information of an adult that is willing to provide you with a positive Recommendation. This person should not be related to you in any way. They will be sent a link to a form to complete on your behalf.

Once all three steps of the application process outlined above are complete, we will confirm that you are a student in good standing (no academic or conduct violations) with your Guidance Counselor before reviewing your application materials.

YLT Office Contact
Dr. Erin Sylvester Philpot, Program Director
ephilpot@talchamber.com (850) 521-3115

General Information

Completed applications are due Friday, February 6, 2026 by 5PM.

All completed applications recieved by the application deadline will be reviewed and scored by volunteers. Promising applications will be invited to the final phase of the selection process-- the interview. Selection Interviews will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2026 at the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce, located at 300 E. Park Ave.

If you are invited to interview, you will be notified by email with corresponding details. A makeup interview date may be given under extenuating circumstances. All applicants will be notified of the final class selection decision by the end of April 2026.

Attendance is MANDATORY for ALL YLT Events:
- Family Orientation: May 14, 2026
- Opening Retreat (full day, not overnight): July 18 & 19, 2026
- Tuesday, September 8, 2026
- Tuesday, October 13, 2026
- Tuesday, November 10, 2026
- Tuesday, December 8, 2026
- Tuesday, January 12, 2027
- Tuesday, February 9, 2027
- Tuesday, March 9, 2027
- Graduation: April 2027
Missing more than one of these events is grounds for dismissal from the program. You must attend, be on time, and participate fully.

It is free to apply to YLT. If selected, there is a $375 participation fee. Please DO NOT let the participant fee prevent you from applying; payment plans and some scholarship funds are available upon request. Please contact us at the information below for any questions regarding the program participation fee.

Questions? Contact Erin Sylvester Philpot, YLT Program Director at 850-521-3115 or ephilpot@talchamber.com
Part I: Personal Information
Applicant Name*

First NamePreferred Name (if different)Last Name
School*
Year in School currently (today)
Race/ Ethnicity*
Gender*
Current age*
Home Mailing Address: (#, street name, apartment #, city, state, zip code)*
Phone*
Email (where you can be contacted at for the scheduled interview)*
example@example.com
PARENTAL/ GUARDIAN INFORMATION
Guardian #1 Name *
Home Address: (#, street name, apartment #, city, state, zip code)
Cell Phone*
Work Phone
Email*
example@example.com
Guardian #2 Name
Home Address: (#, street name, apartment #, city, state, zip code)
Cell Phone
Work Phone
Email
example@example.com
COMMUNITY/SCHOOL INVOLVEMENT
List any extracurricular activities (academic, community, civic, religious, social, athletic, work) that you are involved in, leadership positions you have held, or any honors and/or awards received. (middle/ high school only)

0/200
Part II: Short Answer
1. How would you describe yourself to the Selection Committee?

0/200
2. Please check the box(es) that apply to you

I am an established leaderI have a lot to learn about leadershipI haven’t held any leadership positions yet but I would like toI would like to learn more about leadershipI would like to learn more about my community
3. What are you hoping to learn about if you are selected for Youth Leadership Tallahassee?

0/200
4. Have you ever received any suspensions from school or been expelled? If yes, please explain the nature of the infraction, any disciplinary action taken, and any learned lessons from the experience. Please note this will not prevent you from being accepted into the program!
Part III: Essay Questions
5. From what you know about the Youth Leadership Tallahassee program, what is one reason why you want to participate? Please elaborate.

0/250
6. What leadership skills do you currently possess? How have you used these skills already? How would you apply the leadership skills you will learn through this program in future opportunities?

0/250
7. What aspects of our community or life in Tallahassee do you think need attention/improvements?

0/250
Part V: Recommender Information

This person should not be a member of your family. A guidance counselor, coach, mentor, pastor, neighbor, boss, or other adult who can speak to your character and leadership is great!
First and Last Name of Recommender:
Email Address:
Phone Number:
Part IV: Commitment to YLT
Youth Leadership Tallahassee requires a commitment from the Applicant, the Applicant’s Parents/Guardians and the Applicant’s School for this experience to be meaningful, educational, and successful. Please read the requirements below and then sign to acknowledge your commitment to YLT. To graduate from Youth Leadership Tallahassee, a participant is expected to again, attend ALL events, including the Class Orientation, Opening Retreat, all program days, and Class Graduation at the end of the curriculum year.

In addition, each YLT participant is expected to complete at least 12 hours of community service through the YLT Class Project (which would be elligible for Bright Futures community service requirement). This project will be discussed, planned and implemented by the entire class during the program year.
Applicant Commitment

Please sign below after reading the following statement.
I understand the requirements of the Youth Leadership Tallahassee program. If I am selected, I will devote the time and resources necessary to complete the program, which includes upholding high standards of conduct.

I understand that attendance at the orientation, opening retreat and graduation is mandatory. I acknowledge that if I miss more than one program day session, I may be asked to withdraw from the program. I understand the above commitments and agree to be bound by them in signing this application.

I understand that the information provided by the person I have asked to provide a recommendation on my behalf will be kept confidential and will not be divulged to me at any time.
Applicant Signature

Clear
Name

First NameLast Name
Should be Empty:

CLASS 23 APPLICATION (2026-2027)

Part I: Personal Information

Part II: Short Answer

Part III: Essay Questions

Part V: Recommender Information

Part IV: Commitment to YLT

Applicant Commitment