DOTHAN, Ala. (WDNews) – Applications open Monday for the Youth Leadership Dothan–Houston County program, a high-energy leadership initiative for high school juniors looking to make a difference in their community.
Each year, 40–44 students from public, private, and home schools across Dothan and Houston County are selected through an interview process for the seven-month program. Participants attend monthly sessions that take them behind the scenes of local government, healthcare, education, and business, while also building leadership skills, confidence, and friendships. The program includes a team-building retreat and a community service project.
Applications open August 18 and close September 12, with interviews set for September 23–24. The program runs from November through May, with one full-day session each month from 7:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Sessions are held at different locations throughout the county, and attendance at opening and closing retreats is mandatory.
Eligible applicants must be 11th-grade students enrolled in public, private, or homeschools in Dothan City or Houston County, be at least 15 years old, and—if homeschooled—be part of a local homeschool association.
The cost is $375 and covers meals, materials, and transportation. Partial scholarships are available, and organizers encourage all interested students to apply regardless of financial circumstances.
Applications can be submitted at www.dothan.com/home/youth-leadership. No late applications will be accepted.
