By: Mayra Becerra, The Ivanhoe Sol
On Friday August 2, the third Young Leaders Academy (YLA) Cohort celebrated their graduation from the 4 week academy.
This four-week program allows highschool graduates and college students to learn about Tulare County politics, policy and leadership.
The academy is organized by Supervisor Eddie Valero with the help of local sponsors such as Cherry Cutler, Proteus Inc., College of the Sequoias, Paz Dermatology, Champions Recovery Alternative Programs Ing, and individuals like Maria Guillen.
Week one consisted of an introduction to the program, workshops on the legislative process, overview of the program by Yamillete Rodríguez. The orientation week also included content on “Leadership at the Local Level” and “Envisioning Your Role and How to Get Others Involved” with Emmanuel Hernandez Soto (Visalia City Council Member- District 4), Manpreet Kaur, Elsa Mejia (Madera Councilwoman- District 5), and Nabil Kherfan. The YLA content concluded with a section on “The Law and Government” and “Preparing individuals for leadership careers in public service” with Erica Gonzalez, (Assistant District Attorney) and Abigail Solis (Central CA director of External Affairs at California Governor).
Week two consisted of information to encourage participants to engage in politics to transform community with discussions such as “Community Partners Engaging Youth” facilitated by Robert Isquierdo Jr., Carlos Huerta, Lucia D Vazquez, and Manuel Castro, Health and “Community in Food Insecurity, Education and Homelessness” with Delia Martinez, Noah Whitaker, and Andrea Kelly. YLA participants also learned about the Tulare County Fire Department and Emergency Dispatch with a tour of their local facilities.
Week three consisted of discussions pertaining to “Water and the Politics of Water”, a tour of the Registrar of Voters and Sheriff’s Office, and additional activities on leadership.
The fourth and final week consisted of team bonding and hands-on activities such as a paint workshop directed by Lisa Alvarado, morning and afternoon sessions with Salt + Light, culminating with their graduation ceremony.
Congratulations, YLA graduates!
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