UthMpact Leadership Class IX On The Move!

UthMpact Leadership is unique program, spearheaded by InnerAct Alliance, StandUP Polk, UthMpact, business and community partners, that helps teens develop crucial leadership skills. Members of UthMpact Leadership Class IX have been busy in the community this Fall with great experiences during monthly Leadership Days, organizing successful Project Homecoming Shopping Days, and volunteering at the Red Ribbon 15K, 5K & Kids Fun Run.

The November Leadership Day, themed “Education”, began at Family Fundamentals and Explorations V where UthMpact teens explored the Museum and learned about community resources offered for early childhood education. Next, it was on to iMagination Inc. on the campus of Lake Region High School which offers a special marketing, technology, and graphic design curriculum to provide students with job-ready skills to prepare for careers in public relations, advertising, graphic design, event planning, and sales. The academy partners with Polk State College to offer students dual enrollment classes and help them jumpstart their college education.

Education Day continued with a stop at Crystal Lake Community Partnership where student leaders toured the new health clinic and learned about programs offered for the community. The UthMpact group headed to Florida Polytechnic for lunch followed by a campus tour. The final stop of the day was at New Beginnings High School, a school that provides second chances. During the visit, the students heard testimonies from New Beginnings students on how the school and its programs has provided them with support along with the opportunity to earn a High School diploma.

The hardworking teen leaders hosted several successful Project Homecoming Shopping Days on Saturdays during September and October to provide formal wear to teens at the Project Homecoming store in Lakeland Square Mall. During Shopping Days, the UthMpact members experience all aspects of running a successful retail operation, including greeting customers, assisting teens with choosing outfits, coordinating dressing room visits, checking customers out and encouraging everyone to sign a Project Prom/Homecoming Pledge.