Leadership Development Plan for an 11-Year-Old Girl

Introduction

This plan outlines a multi-year strategy to cultivate leadership skills for an 11-year-old girl as she navigates middle school (ages 11–14, grades 6–8) and high school (ages 14–18, grades 9–12). It incorporates school-based activities, community involvement, and competitive programs like the United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) to build skills in communication, teamwork, civic engagement, and problem-solving.

Middle School (Ages 11–14, Grades 6–8)

Ages 11–12 (Grade 6)

Goal: Build foundational leadership skills through teamwork, confidence, and early civic awareness.

• School-Based Activities:
  • Join Student Council: Run for a class representative or committee role to practice public speaking.
  • Participate in Clubs: Engage in Debate, Drama, or STEM clubs to develop communication and collaboration.
  • Peer Mentoring: Volunteer as a peer mentor to practice empathy and leadership.
• Community Programs:
  • 4-H Youth Development Program: Enroll in a local 4-H club for leadership and civic engagement (www.4-h.org).
  • YMCA Leaders Clubs: Join for service projects and mentorship (www.ymca.org).
• Summer Programs:
  • Junior National Young Leaders Conference (JrNYLC): 6-day program for leadership skills (www.envisionexperience.com).
  • YMCA Summer Camps: Enroll in Leaders-in-Training camps for teamwork skills.
• Personal Development:
  • Journal reflections on leadership goals.
  • Read The Confidence Code for Girls by Katty Kay and Claire Shipman.

Ages 12–13 (Grade 7)

Goal: Deepen leadership through responsibility and civic processes.

• School-Based Activities:
  • Run for Student Council Officer: Aim for roles like class secretary or vice president.
  • Model United Nations (MUN): Join to learn diplomacy and public speaking.
  • Lead a Club Project: Coordinate a STEM fair or drama production.
• Community Programs:
  • Girl Scouts: Earn leadership badges as a Cadette (www.girlscouts.org).
  • 4-H Youth Leadership Academy: Participate in civic engagement projects (nyc.cce.cornell.edu).
• Summer Programs:
  • Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy: Join conservation-focused leadership programs.
  • National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC): Attend leadership workshops (www.nslcleaders.org).
• Personal Development:
  • Attend local leadership workshops.
  • Volunteer at community events like food drives.

Ages 13–14 (Grade 8)

Goal: Prepare for high school leadership roles and explore public service.

• School-Based Activities:
  • Run for Student Body Officer: Aim for school-wide roles like president or treasurer.
  • National Junior Honor Society (NJHS): Pursue an elected officer role.
  • Lead a Community Service Project: Organize a recycling drive or peer tutoring program.
• Community Programs:
  • YMCA Youth & Government: Participate in model legislature and court activities.
  • Girls Who Code: Lead a coding project to build STEM leadership (www.girlswhocode.com).
• Summer Programs:
  • Bella Abzug Leadership Institute: Attend workshops for female leaders (NYC).
  • FBI National Academy Associates Youth Leadership Program: 8-day program for ethical leadership (www.fbinaa.org).
• Personal Development:
  • Develop a personal mission statement.
  • Seek a mentor (e.g., teacher or community leader).

High School (Ages 14–18, Grades 9–12)

Ages 14–15 (Grade 9)

Goal: Establish a strong leadership portfolio and explore public service.

• School-Based Activities:
  • Student Government: Run for freshman class officer or school-wide council.
  • National Honor Society (NHS): Join and aim for an elected role.
  • Start a Club: Found a civic engagement or women’s leadership club.
• Community Programs:
  • Bank of America Student Leaders: Prepare for this 8-week internship (www.bankofamerica.com).
  • YMCA Youth & Government: Take on roles like bill sponsor or committee chair.
• Summer Programs:
  • Girls State: Participate in mock government (www.alaforveterans.org).
  • Sadie Nash Leadership Project: Focus on social justice leadership (NYC/Newark).
• Personal Development:
  • Build a leadership resume.
  • Attend local government meetings to observe civic leadership.

Ages 15–16 (Grade 10)

Goal: Strengthen credentials and prepare for USSYP.

• School-Based Activities:
  • Run for Higher Roles: Aim for student body president or vice president.
  • Lead Major Projects: Organize a school-wide fundraiser or diversity workshop.
  • Debate or Model UN: Take a leadership role like captain or officer.
• Community Programs:
  • LEDA Scholars Program: Apply for this 5-week leadership program (www.ledascholars.org).
  • Youth Technology Incubator Leadership Council: Develop civic engagement (Santa Clara County).
• Summer Programs:
  • University of Notre Dame Leadership Seminar: 10-day program for global issues.
  • Barnard College NextGen Leadership Institute: Focus on STEM or humanities leadership.
• Personal Development:
  • Prepare for USSYP with eligible leadership roles (www.ussenateyouth.org).
  • Secure recommendation letters from teachers or counselors.

Ages 16–18 (Grades 11–12)

Goal: Compete for USSYP and solidify leadership for college.

• School-Based Activities:
  • Hold Elected Positions: Maintain roles like student body president or NHS officer.
  • Mentor Younger Students: Volunteer as a mentor in clubs or programs.
• Community Programs:
  • United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP): Apply as a junior/senior for this week-long program in Washington, D.C., with a $10,000 scholarship (www.ussenateyouth.org).
  • R2L NextGen Program: Focus on civic leadership for Hispanic/Latino students.
• Summer Programs:
  • Bank of America Student Leaders: 8-week paid internship with a leadership summit.
  • Subiendo Leadership Academy: Free program at UT Austin for leadership and policy.
• Personal Development:
  • Prepare USSYP application with essays and leadership documentation.
  • Reflect on leadership growth for college applications.