Leadership Greater McHenry County (LGMC) youth community leadership program offers area high school students an opportunity to enhance community awareness and knowledge, and to develop leadership skills. This is intended to empower and motivate them to become involved and committed to our community.

Class of 2025 Calendar

Orientation |  Monday, July 29, 2024 - 6:30 - 8:00 pm
Opening Retreat |  Thursday, August 1, 2024 and Friday, August 2, 2024
Leadership Day |  Wednesday, September 11, 2024
Leadership Skills Development Day | Saturday, October 5, 2024
Law and Government Day |  Wednesday, November 13, 2024
Leadership Skills Development Day | Saturday, December 7, 2024
Healthcare Day |  Wednesday, January 15, 2025
People in Need Forum | Saturday, January 25, 2025
Closing Retreat |  Saturday, February 22, 2025
Graduation |  Tuesday, March 4, 2025

Students also meet with their teams and visit three nonprofits in McHenry County during the Program. Full attendance is expected to meet graduation requirements.

 

Criteria to Apply

In order to apply for this program, you must:

  • Attend a high school within McHenry County.
  • Be a sophomore or junior entering school year 2024 - 2025.
  • Have a G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher.
  • Is or has been involved in an extra-curricular activity or community service.
  • Commit to an evening orientation session, a two-day retreat, three school days, (these are excused absences), two Saturday Leadership Development Days and a final Saturday retreat. (Dates included below)
  • Commit to visiting three McHenry County Nonprofits
  • Commit to collaborating with other students from area high schools to meet monthly and complete a community project.
  • Be willing to meet and report to a business or person sponsoring you for the program.

 

Introduction and Selection Process

Only 16 students, one from each high school in the county, will be selected for this year’s class through an interview process conducted at your school by a member of the LGMC Youth Committee. All candidates will be scheduled for a 30-minute interview beginning in February. Participants will be selected based on their commitment to school, community, and personal leadership aspirations. The LGMC selection committee will carefully consider diversity to ensure the program and community are fairly represented. Applicants will be notified of acceptance in early April.

For more information contact

Toni Seagren, Youth Program Director
815-337-8751
tseagren@leadershipgmc.org

 

Apply Now

 

 

Next Steps

As part of the application process submit the following documents:

  1. Recommendation Letter 1
    Educator/Business Reference must be completed by somebody who has taught you or served as your employer/manager.
  2. Recommendation Letter 2
    Community Reference must be completed by an adult (Not a parent or relative) with whom you interact. It could be a co-worker, community service coordinator, or a person who works with you on any sport or activity.
    Click on each form below to download a copy and complete
  3. Parent-Guardian-Agreement 2025
  4. Principal-Agreement 2025

Application Fee

There is a non-refundable application fee of $25. Your school may cover this fee. Please talk with your principal to determine who will be responsible for this payment.

It is payable to LGMC and must be included with your letters of recommendation.

Submit all documents and application fee to LGMC Youth Program by February 16, 2024.

P.O. Box 442
Woodstock, IL 60098
Attention: Toni Seagren

 

Thanks to the generosity of local businesses, each student is sponsored in order to attend this program.

Class of 2024 Sponsors
Rotary Club of Cary Grove
First National Bank of Omaha
Pamela Althoff
Laurie Crain, LGMC 2015
Rusty & Sara Foszcz, LGMC 2008
McHenry County College
Pet Vet Animal Clinic & Mobile Practice
Prairie Community Bank
Stacey Sassine, LGMC 2022
Rotary Club of Woodstock
Lelsey Roll, LGMC 2021
CTI Technology, Aaron Kane, LGMC 2019
Cary/Woodstock DQ, Rafael Castaneda, LGMC 2023