Across courthouses, classrooms, and community businesses this summer, eight rising high school juniors and seniors from across Polk County explored their future through Youth Leadership Polk: Class VII—a transformative program powered by Polk Vision. For two immersive weeks, these students engaged in leadership development, career exploration, and community-based learning designed to help them discover not just what they want to do—but who they want to become.
Now in its seventh year, Youth Leadership Polk is modeled after Polk Vision’s longstanding Leadership Polk program. While the adult cohort focuses on high-level civic engagement, the youth version adapts that approach for rising student leaders by combining site visits, workshops, job shadowing, and mentorship.
“This program elevates the high school experience,” said Amy Nickerson, Polk Vision’s education coordinator. “We want to challenge students to stretch themselves, build leadership skills, and engage deeply with Polk County’s industries and opportunities.”
Photo: Throughout their time together, students explored the many facets of Polk County—from local government, public records, and media studios to major employers like Coca-Cola, health care providers such as BayCare and AdventHealth, and innovative research centers like FDOT’s SunTrax facility—gaining insight into a wide range of career paths and leadership opportunities.
For Alana Coombs, a rising senior at Lakeland Collegiate High School, that challenge was clear when she stepped into the courthouse. “We met the clerk, saw the evidence room—it just expanded my view of everything the courthouse does and what I’d be a part of in my future,” she said. Alana, who plans to become a prosecutor, said the experience helped affirm her career path and sharpen her sense of purpose. “Drive your goals—that stuck with me,” she added, referencing advice from local leader Helen G. Sneed on the program’s first day.
The program, which draws students from across the county based on academic performance and recommendations, is designed to develop “durable skills”—what Polk Vision refers to as essential, transferable skills for both college and the workplace.
“We also want to encourage our students to stay in Polk County, to recognize the vibrant opportunities here, and to imagine themselves as future leaders in this community,” said Ana Saavedra, Polk Vision’s program manager.
For Mariano Richer, a student in the Cambridge program at Winter Haven High School with aspirations of becoming a criminal defense lawyer, the experience was practical and inspirational. “This program is like an accelerated track for people who want to do special things in the future,” he said. “Meeting community business leaders was inspiring. We learned a lot from them.” Mariano is researching in-state scholarships to stay close to family while pursuing a law degree.
Photo: Amy Nickerson, Polk Vision Education Coordinator, leads classroom lessons on interview skills.
Lessons that Build Confidence for a Rewarding Career
Students spent five full days visiting communities across Polk—including Bartow, Lakeland, Winter Haven, Auburndale and Lake Wales learning how public service, industry, healthcare, and civic leadership come together to build a community. Whether talking to top local officials or observing workplace teams in action, many students said they discovered career paths—and parts of Polk—they never knew existed.
Galina Jean, an International Baccalaureate student at Bartow High School plans to become an anesthesiologist. The job shadowing experience in healthcare was a major highlight. “I want to know if this field is truly right for me, and this is helping me find out,” she said.
Itoro-obong Solomon, also from the IB program at Bartow High, echoed that sentiment, but from a tech lens. “I didn’t know I could get an IT job at the county clerk’s office,” she said. “This program has helped me put my foot in doors I didn’t know existed and meet role models who are just like myself. It made me think I can do it.”
For other students, the experience gave them the opportunity to rethink their career plans.
Abigail Fife, a rising senior at Lakeland Collegiate High School rising senior, said, “When I started this program, I knew I wanted to go into architecture, but the idea was immensely vague. With this program doing community and classroom days along with my job shadowing, I now know what I want to do and how to get there.”
Reaganne Berrien, a rising senior at Fort Meade Middle-Senior High, had initially planned to major in psychology—but is now thinking more broadly. “This program is showing me so many different ways I could help my community,” she said. “It’s making me think about where I can have the most impact.”
Dennis Fetty, from Lakeland Collegiate High School, said a session on “ethics vs. values” led to deep self-reflection. “I took notes every day—on conflict resolution, interview skills, and negotiation tactics,” said Dennis, who plans to pursue a Ph.D. in political science. “Through the lessons I learned, the experiences I gained, and the leaders I met, I can finally say that I have the answer to my initial question about what leadership means in my own words: Leadership is using your voice, actions, and values to serve others, make a difference, and inspire real change.”
For Adeline Juarez of Auburndale Senior High, the experience built both confidence and clarity. “Youth Leadership Polk helped me define my strengths and helps me notice the areas that I need to improve in,” she said. “Through this experience I’ve gained confidence, the ability to clearly state my ideas, listen, and reflect. I now understand that a leader isn’t the loudest voice in the room, but it’s about having awareness, listening skills, and acting with integrity to help others.”
After completing classroom, community, and job shadow experiences, students presented competitive capstone projects and essays for the opportunity to win a $500 college scholarship from the Polk Vision Leadership Alumni Association and administered by the Polk Education Foundation.
Ensuring a Talent Strong Community through Youth Leadership Polk
“Programs like this are about helping shape our future,” said Nickerson. “Whether students stay, leave and return, or lead from afar, they now understand the many possibilities that exist right here at home.”
As Polk Vision continues to cultivate talent through collaboration and community, Youth Leadership Polk stands as a powerful model for how local networks can inspire and retain the next generation of leaders—one student at a time.
To learn more about Polk Vision and Youth Leadership Polk, visit polkvision.com.