The members of Tempe Youth Leadership Class 18 spent last Saturday learning about governance, which included a Q & A with Tempe Union High School District Superintendent Kenneth Baca and Board Member Sandy Lowe.

They also had a chance to visit the council chambers at Tempe City Hall and interact with Mayor Mark Mitchell and Tempe City Council members Kolby Granville, Lauren Kuby and Robin Arredondo-Savage, who shared the ins and outs of Tempe city government and the power youth can have if they use their voices.

Tempe Youth Leadership (TYL) provides a unique leadership opportunity for youth living or attending school within the City of Tempe. With the generous financial support of business/community members, and the Tempe Leadership Board of Directors, TYL continues to foster leadership skills, community involvement, collaboration, and the development of future leaders within Tempe.

Through issue-oriented seminars and interaction with community leaders, Tempe Youth Leadership exposes participants to leadership opportunities and prepares them for leadership roles – on both individual and group levels. Youth selected to participate in the TYL program have opportunities to develop and enhance their leadership skills through:

• Interactive issue days with community leaders (in topics such as government, public safety, fire, social services, arts, and business)
• Opportunities to participate/observe community wide events/activities (school board meetings, city council meetings, Tempe Cares, etc)
• Participating in team building/skill development exercises, with moderate physical activities

Tempe Youth Leadership is open to current sophomores and juniors within the City of Tempe. There is no fee for students to participate in this program. Applications for Class 19 will come available in fall of 2017.