Program Objectives Today our young student athletes face many societal and personal challenges. The negative influences in their lives are often overwhelming and too difficult to overcome without proper training, guidance, and direction. These young student athletes also face unique pressures from their peers, schools, and communities to always perform at the highest level. Leadership on & off the field is designed to help develop young people with strong character who practice positive leadership and serve as active citizens. The student leadership conference is specially designed around the needs and issues of high school student athletes. Curriculum materials and speakers will provide five specialized sessions that are intended to be "life impacting" and provide tools for success. The program has two objectives: First, to nurture and enhance the leadership behaviors that many young student athletes are beginning to display, Second, to help student athletes transfer these skills from the athletic arena to other areas of their lives. Utilizing leadership experts, coaches, athletic directors, and community leaders from across the country, this specialized curriculum focuses on character development, leadership and teambuilding skills, and citizenship.

Program Themes & Student Outcomes

All participates, athletes & coaches/sponsors, will rotate through a series of five sessions presented throughout the conference. Facilitators and counselors skilled in each topic will conduct the trainings. Each session will run 60 minutes, consisting of hands-on application, discussion and reflection of the following topics:

• Leadership Concepts & Skills - This session will address the importance of identifying and defining the skills in which leaders have mastered. Students will have a clear understanding of the characteristics that make up an effective leader. Student outcome - Students will leave this session with a solid definition of leadership and the tools necessary to exhibit those skills in their role as an athlete and an individual within their everyday lives.

• Competition & Sportsmanship - This session examines the balance of self-discipline and personal drive with the competitive nature all sporting events encompass. Students examine case studies to demonstrate where that line of competition and sportsmanship begins and ends. Student outcome - Students will leave this session with a clearer understanding of the role an athlete models when in their competitive arena, and the display of sportsmanship observed by their audience.

Team Dynamics - The success of a sports team or a classroom project team are one in the same. They both require everyone giving 100% for the end result. This session identifies the role(s) of team members and strategies to build a successful team. In addition, the importance of networking and appreciation of another's diversity will be examined. Student outcome - Students will develop an appreciation of a team's diverse talents while demonstrating effective strategies when working in a team. Character Development - A leader is defined by his/her actions and words. This session will address the responsibilities athletes possess as role models within their community. Our young people must be encouraged to model honesty, integrity, respect, responsibility, etc. The positive traits that define ones character must be developed and nurtured. This session will address the importance of elevating ones character. Student outcome - Students will demonstrate positive character traits through their actions and words regardless of their status as an athlete and/or individual.

• Active Citizenship- Waiting for the world to change does not bring about change. Our young people must be empowered to bring about change which results in better schools, communities, and a better world. Active citizenship is a call for our youth to step up to the plate, get involved and demonstrate their duty as a citizen to make a difference. This session will discuss what that can look like. Student outcome - Students will understand the importance of civic engagement, and develop a plan that they can present to their team members.

KYLA's Learning Model

Civic leadership is a contemporary theory which calls on the development of citizen leaders who are committed to making our world a better place. In its simplest form, civic leadership encourages us to not only be responsible for ourselves, but more importantly, to take responsibility for those around us. This approach to leadership development operates on the basic assumption that we all have the ability to serve as leaders, and therefore, should participate in civic action for the purpose of making a difference in our communities. While civic participation and public service provide a vital and critical role in our democratic and free society, it is the link with leadership that helps shape the decision making process and its outcomes. Beyond service, citizen leaders identify key issues, raise questions, voice opinions, and take the appropriate actions when necessary. The purpose is to create a new generation of Kansans who empower themselves and have the skills and capabilities to act on behalf of the greater good. Utilizing university faculty, school teachers, community leaders, and college students working toward obtaining degrees in Organizational Leadership as Certified Leadership Trainers, KYLA focuses on character building, teamwork, and citizenship. The conceptual model for citizen leadership development is shown below.

KYLA's Student Outcomes

Character Education

KYLA is committed to developing young people with strong character. Program activities will provide students with experiences that encourage strong character development.

Leadership Education

KYLA is committed to providing a comprehensive, educational experience that fosters leadership development. Program activities will provide students with knowledge, behaviors, and motivation to participate in the leadership process.

Civic Education

KYLA is committed to instilling a civic attitude among participating students. Program activities will provide students with the knowledge, skills, and civic virtues necessary to fulfill the duties of citizenship in our American democracy.