Do you know a sophomore or junior in high school who shows leadership potential?

Maybe she's a student working at your business, and she always goes that extra step around the job.

Perhaps he's volunteered on projects in your civic organization or church, and you notice he's always interested in being involved.
These students are probably active in school or community organizations but may or may not be officers.

She has a good work ethic and can be counted on to always follow through.

He shows an interest in the community and the world, and has ideas for making our world a better place.

The Newton County students can be public, private or home schooled.

If you identified a student who fits this description, show him you've noticed his potential with a nomination for the Newton Youth Leadership Institute 2013.

Print the application and brochure from our website at www.ugaextension.com/newton or come by the office to pick one up.

Students may also request an application from teacher advisors Kelly Musgrove at Alcovy,
Cricket Butler at Eastside, Paige Meakins at Newton, Jeff Ransom or Kelly White at Newton College and Career Academy, or Charles Wilborn at Charter Challenge Academy.

Completed applications, including two reference signatures and official GPA, must be turned in by Oct. 26 to the school's advisor, or for all other students to the 4-H office.

Only 21 students are chosen annually for the leadership program, and each student must commit to attending all sessions.
The program begins with an orientation session on Jan. 10 for parents and youth.

The institute heads to the University of Georgia for a personality and leadership style assessment, college advice, and leadership speakers on Jan. 25.

On Feb. 21 they pair up with members of the adult leadership program for a trip to the state capitol.

They tour the capitol and visit with our senators, representatives, and other government officials from departments such as the Department of Agriculture, the Board of Corrections, and Driver Services.

March 19 is professional development day, wish is to be spent learning and practicing everything from etiquette to public speaking, with a special focus on interviewing skills.

Past students have suggested additional hands-on table etiquette sessions and extended dress for success lessons, which will be added this year.
This isn't leadership in a classroom: it's hands-on.

Students learn about local government and industry on April 15 from the Board of Commissioners, the judicial center, the Sherriff's Department, and Snapping Shoals EMC to learn how their skills and leadership are needed right here in Newton County.

They will end the day with a team-building ropes course and mud challenge at the Georgia FFA-FCCLA Center.

In April every student will participate in a group community service project during Relay for Life or in a local agricultural project.

At Relay for Life, students work with 4-H'ers to coordinate recycling for the entire event, culminating in a midnight sorting project to remove all trash and collect the pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald House.

During the spring, each student is also required to observe at least one local government meeting, either for the board of education, county commissioners, or a city council.

YLI culminates in a graduation banquet on May 2 for students, their parents, school officials, sponsors and local elected leaders.
Funding for the program is provided primarily by the Newton County Chamber of Commerce and its members, along with additional funding from Snapping Shoals EMC and a small fee from students.

Selected students pay $35 to reserve their spot in the program.

The Newton Youth Leadership Institute has been around since 1988, and you can find graduates all over Newton County and across the country.

"Meeting with local officials and touring the local companies opened my eyes to what else was in our community that I would not have known otherwise," said YLI 1998 graduate Rebecca Warbington Cox.

"It was during YLI that I decided that becoming a better leader was exactly what I wanted to do."

Cox is one of the many alumni serving our community today with her leadership skills.

Terri Kimble is the Newton County 4-H Agent through UGA Cooperative Extension. She can be reached at (770) 784-2010 .or tkimble@