Delaware County Chamber Hosts its 8th Annual Youth Leadership Academy

[Springfield, PA]— On Monday, May 9th the Foundation of the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce and the Workforce Development Board, Youth Council held its 8th annual Youth Leadership Academy at the Penn State-Brandywine Campus. The Youth Leadership Academy is a three day program that celebrates student achievements, supported by, Comcast, Delaware County Women's Commission, United Way of Greater Philadelphia & Southern New Jersey, Exelon Generation, Thunderbird Pizza, and Delaware County Office of Behavior Health, Division of Drug and Alcohol. Delaware County high school sophomores learn the power of leadership and are encouraged to become better prepared to take on future leadership opportunities. The program provided an outstanding opportunity for these 27 area 10th graders:

·         Olivia Andrisani (Academy of Notre Dame de Namur)

·         Suzanne Carpenter (Archbishop Carroll High School)

·         James Dougherty (Archbishop Carroll High School)

·         Stephen Swanick (Cardinal O'Hara High School)

·         Aliyah Brodie (Chester High School)

·         Jannelle Hartshorn (Chester High School)

·         Jasmine Hartshorn (Chester High School)

·         Melanie Hull-Dempsey (Chichester High School)

·         Adam P. Klein (Episcopal Academy)

·         Graham McAllister (Delaware County Technical High School)

·         Sindy Palma (Delaware County Technical High School)

·         Elena Taylor (Garnet Valley High School)

·         Emma Davies (Haverford High School)

·         Wyatt McDevitt (Interboro High School)

·         Katie Nunan (Marple-Newtown High School)

·         Savanna Urban (Merion Mercy Academy)

·         Maura Fee (Monsignor Bonner & Archbishop Prendergast)

·         Neve Spellman (Monsignor Bonner & Archbishop Prendergast)

·         Erica Williams (Sun Valley High School)

·         Francisca Mukova (Penn Wood High School)

·         Natalie Mantegna (Penncrest High School)

·         Dan Bullock (Radnor High School)

·         Ryan Kennedy (Ridley High School)

·         Rachel Gould (Springfield High School)

·         Sarah Jordan (Upper Darby High School)

·         Nicole Strasinski (Upper Darby High School)

·         Tommy Ricci (Upper Darby High School)

Throughout the Academy, interactive sessions were addressed with a variety of topics, including Business Leadership, Working with the Media, Government/Political, and Non-Profit Leadership. During the three days students also were able to meet and work with four different leadership panels. Panels were arranged with local area leaders in these four categories:

Government

·         Colleen P. Morrone (Delaware County Councilwoman)

·         Caitlin Ganley (District Director, Congressman Patrick Meehan)

·         Thomas J. Judge, Jr. (Chief Administrative Officer, Upper Darby Township)

·         Ed Kelly (Springfield Township Commissioner)

Business

·         Laura Kasper (President/CEO, Monarch Staffing)

·         Michael Simpson (CPA, CVA, Partner- Brinker, Simpson and Co. LLC)

·         Steve Landers (Owner, Thunderbird Pizza)

·         Lisa Luke (Axalta)

·         Jacqueline Gardner (Tomorrow Utilities)

Non-Profit

·         Doreen Storey (Executive Director, Delaware County United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey)

·         Mike Ranck (President and CEO, Community YMCA of Eastern Delaware County)

·         Clayton Fitch (Senior Grant Writer, Pathways PA)

·         Kelly Colvin (Associate Director, Center on Regional Politics, Temple University)

Media

·         Phil Heron (Editor, Delaware County Daily Times)

·         Jen Boyett (Government Affairs Manager, Comcast)

·         Bill Tyson (Penn State and Chair of Press Club)

·         Kathleen Carey (Business Writer, Delaware County Daily Times)

·         JB Braun (Publisher, Main Line Today)

Finally to cap off the program, a celebration was held the third night for the students and their families, along with an array of Delaware County leaders. The night allowed everyone to share in the success of the students and to recap the topics covered in the program. Also the students were divided into groups to give their own “Ignite Presentation” on the theme of leadership.

Overall the program was a major success helping promote leadership in Delaware County, and preparing the next generation of future leaders. Chamber president, Trish McFarland stated “Our future depends so much on the next generation of individuals who are willing to accept the challenge, that we must help nurture and support our young area leaders. The Delaware County Chamber is committed to recognizing the leaders of tomorrow, and promoting the success of our students.”

About the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce:

Founded in 1887, the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce represents businesses' interests and issues affecting the community. We help Chamber members succeed through proactive outreach and partnering with all levels of government and community organizations through education, networking and collaboration to achieve a healthy economy to drive business forward. For more information on membership and how you can get involved, visit www.delcochamber.org