"If you think you know Springfield, wait until you experience Leadership Springfield. I learned more about this city in the last year than I could hope to know in a lifetime of living here. The most encouraging aspect of the experience was knowing that my dynamic fellow classmates would be stepping up to take leadership roles now and in the future. I consider Leadership Springfield an essential component of my professional experience and growth."
-Marc Maness, director of community development and grants, Springfield Public Schools, Class XIX
Academy
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Established in 1990 as a project of Leadership Springfield, the Academy is open to juniors from nine Springfield public and private high schools. Thirty-two students are selected each year for a shortened version of the adult program. Initial funding for the project during the first four classes was provided by the Southeast Rotary, Sunrise Rotary Club and Springfield Rotary Club. The Leadership Springfield Golf Tournament and program day sponsors are now the main funding sources for the Academy.
The program goals of the academy are:
- To provide exposure to community structure and issues.
- To provide interaction between developing leaders and the established leaders of today.
- To develop personal skills needed for future roles as leaders.
- To emphasize the importance of community service.
- To harness the enthusiasm of youth to help solve local problems.