Leadership Connection connects local students with community leaders

Submitted

Exciting opportunities for high school students from Marion and Hamilton counties return this fall as Leadership Connection hosts two events designed to inspire, educate, and connect the next generation of community leaders.

Founded in 2021, Leadership Connection aims to connect today’s leaders with tomorrow’s trailblazers to help build a stronger community. The program gives local high school students the chance to engage with distinguished professionals from the private and public sectors while developing professional and personal leadership skills. Community leaders, in turn, help prepare students for their futures by sharing experience and guidance.

Since its inception, nearly 600 high school juniors and seniors and over 100 businesses, community and non-profit executives have participated.

Each year, students selected from area high schools participate in two Leadership Connection events featuring workshops, community service projects, keynote speakers and mentoring opportunities with representatives from local businesses and organizations in both the private and public sectors.

The events expose students to a variety of career paths while encouraging them to consider how they can make a positive impact in their own communities.

• This year’s Leadership Connection Day of Service will be held Friday, Oct. 23, beginning at 9 a.m. at the One America Building, 202 N. Illinois St., Indianapolis.
• The Leadership Connection Workshop will take place Thursday, Nov. 5, beginning at 9 a.m. at the Carmel Clay Public Library, 425 E. Main St.

Participating students can build relationships with peers from different schools and backgrounds while learning directly from experienced leaders about careers, leadership, and community involvement. Students are eligible to apply for several scholarships offered through the program. The scholarships provide financial assistance toward a college or trade school of the student’s choice, along with a laptop computer. A special Dr. Richard Markoff Scholarship also honors the program’s founder, whose career was dedicated to service and who established Leadership Connection in 2021.

The impact of those experiences can be seen in the words of participating students.

“What I enjoyed most during this event was how we got to communicate and connect with other students from different schools,” one student shared. “Also, how we got to meet amazing people and got to talk to adults more about what will help our future the best.”

Through meaningful connections between students and community leaders, Leadership Connection continues to create opportunities that encourage young people to discover their potential, develop leadership skills and envision the many ways they can contribute to their communities.

Leadership Connection is a branded event of the Rotary Club of Carmel in partnership with iTeam Think Tank, Carmel Clay Schools, Carmel Fire Department, Christel House Watanabe High School, Brebeuf High School, and Elevate Indy.

For more information on how you can partner, volunteer for upcoming events, or support Leadership Connection, visit click here.