On Thursday, June 27, 2023, Leadership Geauga celebrated the achievements of 25 high school students who completed the Youth Institute program. The graduation ceremony at St. Mary’s Church in Chardon marked the end of a transformative two-week journey for these rising juniors and seniors. Special thanks go to University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center for sponsoring the program.
From June 17 to June 27, students from various schools, including NDCL, Chardon, Andrews Osborne, Cardinal, Berkshire, West Geauga, Kenston, and homeschool, participated in Leadership Geauga’s Youth Institute.
Throughout the program, students engaged in immersive activities and educational opportunities. They began with a CliftonStrengths assessment to better understand their personal strengths as leaders. Following this, they embarked on an 81-mile journey across Geauga County, visiting 20 organizations and meeting 55 local leaders. These organizations provided valuable insights into various career paths and opportunities, helping students gain firsthand knowledge about different fields of interest and fostering a vision for their future success.
The Youth Institute participants also had the unique privilege of connecting with past Heritage Program alumni, who shared career advice and personal experiences, inspiring the students to forge their own paths. Additionally, each participant shared their career aspirations with the Leadership Geauga team, which thoughtfully paired them with a local business for a one-day mentorship experience. This allowed the students to shadow professionals in their chosen fields, providing valuable real-world exposure and guidance.
During the graduation ceremony, the students shared the career opportunities they had discovered, revealed their favorite stops during the program, and reflected on their mentorship experiences. Over 60 guests, including proud friends and family members of the students and Leadership Geauga board members, gathered over lunch to honor and witness the students graduate.
In addition, Chester Township Trustee Craig Richter and Russell Township Trustee Matt Rambo have introduced a new initiative for West Geauga High School students: sponsorship for the 2024 Youth Institute organized by Leadership Geauga. Inspired by a presentation at the January 2024 Geauga County Township Association quarterly meeting, Craig Richter proposed sponsoring two students from Chester Township for the program, receiving enthusiastic support from his fellow trustees. He emphasized the importance of engaging local youth in governance to address challenges in securing volunteers for township boards. Expanding this initiative, Russell Township Trustee Matt Rambo also endorsed the program, praising Leadership Geauga’s excellence in fostering local connections and leadership skills. This collaboration highlights a commitment to nurturing leadership and community engagement among Geauga County’s youth. Also, thank you to Chardon Rotary for sponsoring a Chardon High School student!
Youth Institute Graduates:
Macey Beers, Notre Dame Cathedral Latin
Meredith Bors, Berkshire High School
Kathleen Brooks, Notre Dame Cathedral Latin
Sean Butler, Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin
Ava Cavelli, West Geauga High School
Aerowyn Dacek, Berkshire High School
Brendan Donnelly, Notre Dame Cathedral Latin
Aubrey Fetchik, Chardon High School
Lucas Gajda, Chardon High School
Presley Goble, West Geauga High School
Mark (Liam) Humphreys, Andrews Osborne Academy
Peyton Kitzmiller, Berkshire High School
Will Klein, Homeschool
Rosemarie McDonald, Chardon High School
Katelyn Miller, Berkshire High School
Laney Morgan, Notre Dame Cathedral Latin
Campbell Reese, West Geauga High School
Thomas Seifried, Kenston High School
Carter Sindelar, Cardinal High School
John Slattery, Berkshire High School
Andrew St. James, Chardon High School
Rachel Suszynski, Chardon High School
Henry Sweet, Chardon High School
Walter Sweet, Chardon High School
Grayson Yoder, Cardinal High School
Leadership Geauga remains committed to fostering the growth and development of emerging leaders in Geauga County. By providing these high school students with unparalleled learning opportunities and exposure to local professionals, the Youth Institute program is shaping the leaders of tomorrow.