Leadership High School Application

PLEASE READ BEFORE APPLYING

SESSION DATES
Sept 9, Oct 14, Nov 11, Dec 9, Jan 13 '27, Feb 10 '27, Mar 10 '27 and April 14 '27

Leadership High School, a program of the Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, empowers high school juniors to develop as future community leaders. Through leadership training, meaningful community experiences, and hands on service, participants learn how to make a lasting, positive impact in Great Falls. The program invites students who demonstrate initiative, responsibility, curiosity, and a commitment to serving their school and community in both big and small ways.

Attendance at all Leadership High School sessions is required. Sessions are usually held on the second Wednesday of each month, from September through April. Occasionally, dates may change due to school schedules. Being present and engaged helps everyone get the most out of the program.

Students should try not to schedule appointments, activities, or events on session days. If you are unable to attend for any reason, please let both your school’s Leadership High School Coordinator and the Program Manager at the Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce know ahead of time.

Students who miss more than one session without prior notice or a valid reason may be removed from the program. Students who are late for more than two sessions in a row may also risk removal.

Would any extracurricular activities interfere with your ability to attend Leadership High School sessions?*

YesNo

If yes, please explain

Do you have consistent, reliable transportation on session days?*

YesNo

Please complete all sections of the application by typing your responses. Be sure to sign the application and obtain a parent or guardian signature where required. Submit the completed application to your school’s Leadership High School Coordinator (listed below) by the deadline.

Applicants must provide the email address of a teacher/evaluator as part of their application. The Chamber will distribute and collect all evaluation forms directly. Applicants are responsible for notifying their selected teacher/evaluator to expect communication from the Chamber and ensuring they are prepared to complete and submit the evaluation. Homeschooled students may provide the contact information of a qualified adult (such as a mentor, coach, or community leader) in place of a teacher.

Your application will be considered complete only after both teacher evaluation forms have been received.

• PGEC – Theresa Besich and Lindsey Sitzman
• GFHS – Dawn O’Leary and Hoppy Hopkins
• CMR – Patricia Pace
• Cascade – Steven Pettis
• St. Patrick's Academy – Jamie Stevens
• Power – Whitney Brewer
• Foothills – Carrie Morrison
• Centerville – Laura Legan
• GFPS – Becky Nelson

Deadline for the submission of this application is: April 27th

Name*

First NameLast Name

Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code

Phone Number*

Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.

Email*

example@example.com

High School *

Please answer the following questions using complete sentences and specific details. Responses will be evaluated on grammar, punctuation, and overall writing mechanics.

Why are you interested in Leadership High School? What interests you about the program, and what do you hope to gain from participating?*

0/300

How do you define leadership? In your response, consider the traits, responsibilities, or behaviors you believe are most important in a leader.*

0/300

What are your main interests at school, and why? (Examples: classes, activities, academic subjects, teams, or clubs.)*

0/300

Please list any job experience you have had, paid or volunteer. Briefly describe your role and what you learned from the experience.*

0/300

How have you been involved in your community? This may include clubs, sports, student organizations, faith based activities, volunteering, or other ways you contribute.*

0/300

What is one personal quality or value you are proud of, and why? Share an example that shows how this trait affects your actions or decisions.*

0/300

Who is someone who has had a significant impact on your life? Describe who this person is and how they have influenced who you are today.*

0/300

If an unplanned extracurricular activity conflicts with a Leadership High School session, how would you prioritize your commitment?*

0/300

Please choose one of the following essays and complete it using clear ideas and specific examples. (Suggested length: 1,000 words)

What are the most positive aspects of the Great Falls community as a high schooler? Explain what makes these aspects meaningful to you and how they impact students or the community as a whole.

0/1000

What is the most pressing challenge facing high school students in Great Falls and the surrounding area? What is one realistic action a high school student could take to help address this challenge? Describe why this issue is important and how it affects students.

0/1000

Emergency Contact

Name*

First NameLast Name

Relationship*

Phone Number*

Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.

Media Release- I grant permission to the Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce to use photographs and video recordings of my participation in Leadership High School for marketing, promotional, social media, and related communications. I understand that host organizations or partner sites may also take and use photos or videos during program activities.*

AgreeDisagree

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION- Please list any dietary restrictions, including food allergies or sensitivities. Also, list any other allergies, medical conditions, or accessibility considerations we should be aware of. While we will make reasonable efforts to accommodate needs, we cannot guarantee that all requests can be met.*

Commitment Acknowledgment- If selected, do you commit to attending all Leadership High School sessions—from the Opening Reception through the Graduation Program—without unexcused absences or more than two instances of tardiness?*

YesNo

Applicant Signature*

Parent/Guardian Signature*

Parent/Guardian Name*

First NameLast Name

Teacher/Evaluator 1 Contact Information*

example@example.com

Teacher/Evaluator 2 Contact Information*

example@example.com