Youth Leadership Polk Class VIII Application

Thank you for your interest in Youth Leadership Polk!

Youth Leadership Polk is a dynamic, FREE countywide leadership training program for rising 11th and 12th-grade students that provides an opportunity to develop essential durable skills, explore career opportunities in Polk County, and discover what it truly means to be a leader.

At the end of the program, students will complete an 8-hour job shadow experience and submit a Capstone Project to qualify for a scholarship toward college or technical school!

Class VIII Application and Dates

Nomination Period: January 12 - February 13, 2026

Application Window: February 17 – March 13, 2026

Program Intensive: June 1 – 12, 2026
Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM

Job Shadowing Window: June 15 – July 17, 2026
(8-hour shadowing requirement)

Capstone Project Essays & Presentations:
Due - July 17, 2026
Present - July 20 - 22, 2026

Graduation & Scholarship Awards: July 23, 2026, from 5:30 -7:30 PM

Please complete each section fully, but limit answers to available space. It is recommended that you compile your answers in a Word document and then copy and paste them into the application.

Applications are due NO LATER than March 13, 2026, at 5:00 PM.

If you experience any difficulties, please contact the Program Manager, Ana Saavedra, at ana@polkvision.com.

Full Student Name*

First NameLast Name

Birth Date*

Example: April 15, 2007

High School Graduation Year*

Preferred Mailing Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code

Student Cell Phone Number*

Please enter a valid phone number.

Student Personal Email Address*

ex. myname@example.com

What is your form of transportation available?*

Student's Adult Shirt Size*

Please list any allergies/dietary restrictions:*

Parent/Guardian Name*

First NameLast Name

Relationship to Student:*

Parent/Guardian Contact Phone Number:*

Please enter a valid phone number.

Parent/Guardian Personal Email Address:*

Confirmation Emailex. myname@example.com

Current High School:*

Current GPA:*

What are your plans for after high school graduation? *

Answers have a maximum of 100 words. This text box will track the number of words for you.

Are you a current or previous member of any of the following programs? Check all that apply.

Career Academy (If Applicable):

If you belong to a Career Academy at your school, please name the Academy that you are involved in.

Current Company/Organization:

Job Title:

Dates Employed:

City & State:

Previous Company/Organization:

Job Title:

Dates Employed:

City & State:

Please list, in order of importance to you, any community service/volunteerism you have completed. For each entry, please list: Club/Organization, Role(s), Number of Hours Completed (For example: SPCA Florida, Student Volunteer, 10 hours).

If you were to decide today, what job would you want to have as your career?*

Which of the following career sectors interests you the most: Medical, Culinary, Hospitality/Tourism, Education, Agriculture, Manufacturing, Fine Arts, Engineering, Law/Justice, and Business/Entrepreneurship? Please choose 3.

Your answers to the questions below, resume, and letters of recommendation are an essential tool for the Selection Committee to learn about you.

Give yourself enough time to complete the questions thoughtfully. Answers shall be a minimum of 50 words with a maximum of 500 words. The text boxes will track the number of words for you.

What challenge(s) facing your school and/or community are you most passionate about, and why?*

What does Leadership mean to you?*

What do you hope to gain from this leadership program experience?*

Please upload a headshot picture, such as your yearbook photo, in.JPEG format. The photo must be high resolution (at least 2" x 3" and 300dbi).*

Please upload a Letter of Recommendation from an adult in your life that is not related to you.*

Please download the Application Agreement, sign the form and upload the completed version below.*

Class VIII Application

Student Information

Parent/Guardian Information

Student Information

Program Membership

Student Employment

Community Service/Volunteerism

Career Interests

Community Vision

Headshot Photo

Letter of Recommendation

Application Agreement