2026 Teen Leadership Waco Application

2026 Teen Leadership Waco Application

A Program of the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce
What is Teen Leadership Waco?

Teen Leadership Waco (TLW) is an exciting program run by the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce, offering students a chance to learn about leadership, explore careers, and connect with Waco’s community leaders. Modeled after the Chamber's Leadership Waco program, TLW provides a behind-the-scenes look at the history, government, and social and economic dynamics that keep our community running.

Through the program, you’ll meet with leaders from various sectors in Waco, learn leadership skills, gain career insights, and explore the real challenges they face in their roles. You’ll also participate in team-building and leadership development sessions designed to help you grow alongside your classmates.

Why Join Teen Leadership Waco?

Make friends with students from across the county
-Build leadership skills that last a lifetime
-Explore career paths and meet professionals in every sector
-See how Waco works—from city hall to local businesses
-Grow as a community leader and changemaker
-Boost your resume and college applications

Who Can Apply?

TLW is open to high school sophomores and juniors in McLennan County, including homeschool students. Each year, only 25 students are selected through a competitive application process reviewed by Chamber volunteers.

Strong applicants show a clear commitment to leadership and community involvement.

What’s the Time Commitment?

Classes meet one Monday per month from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM, with an additional service day (likely on a weekend) during the program. You will only be permitted to miss one class day, so please look at your calendar to make sure you can be present each day.

Please note: TLW runs the calendar year (February 2026-December 2026).

When is the application deadline?

Noon on Monday, November 17, 2025.

Questions?

Contact Rachel Ligon at the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce
rligon@wacochamber.com(254) 757-5613
Please complete and submit this entire application form. Your application will be considered complete when all of the items in the application checklist below are submitted:

Completed application form, including typed responses to all essay questionsSchool Transcript (unofficial) - upload belowTwo letters of recommendation: One letter from a teacher or school counselor. One letter from an adult who knows you outside of school. This can be a family friend, employer, someone from your church or a volunteer organization, or a faculty advisor for a school organization. (Note: This person should NOT be a family member.)High resolution headshot that can be used for marketing purposes.$25 non-refundable application fee (to be paid below with credit card)
Please be aware that prior to final selections TLW make every effort to communicate with the appropriate representatives from each school confirming the eligibility of the applicant's status in order to participate in the program. Since the program depends on the school's participation and approval from the district with regard to absences we need concurrence with school administration.

2025 TENTATIVE PROGRAM DATES

The success of the TLW Program depends on your commitment to the program's entire schedule. Program hours are from 8:00am to 3:30pm each class day. Dates and times are subject to change. A final calendar will be provided at the Parent Orientation.
Application deadline: Monday, November 17 at noon

Parent Orientation: Monday, January 12, 2026, at 6:00

Class 1 - Orientation Retreat - February 2, 2026

Class 2 – City & County Day - March 2, 2026

Class 3 - Economic Development Day – March 30, 2026

Class 4 – History Day – April 27, 2026

Summer Break: June - August

Class 5 - Community Partners Day - September 14, 2026

Class 6 – Leadership Development - October 5, 2026

Class 7 - Healthcare & Education Day - November 2, 2026

Class 8 - Law & Order Day - December 7, 2026

Dates and times are subject to change. A final calendar will be provided at the Parent Orientation.
SELECTION PROCESS
Application Deadline

Application deadline is noon on Monday, November 17, 2025.

Selection

Waco Chamber volunteers representing diverse sectors of the community will review completed applications. Volunteers will score applications and the top 25 applicants across all of the schools represented will have final approval by the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce's Executive Committee prior to being accepted. It is worth noting that the committee gives the most weight to the Reflection Questions. Please take the time required to answer them well.
TUITION AND FINANCIAL COMMITMENT
Tuition & Sponsorships

We want every student who is selected for Teen Leadership Waco to be able to participate, and we’ll work alongside you to make tuition manageable.

Total Tuition: $525

Your $25 application fee is credited toward this amount, leaving $500.

$100 Sponsorship (required)

Every student raises $100 of tuition through a local business or community member. If you don’t already have a sponsor connection, we’ll introduce you to a community partner who is eager to help.

Remaining Balance: $400

– Students and/or Families are responsible for this portion.
– Students may choose to raise additional sponsorships to cover some—or all—of the remaining balance. Again, we are happy to make introductions, if needed.

Support Options:

– The Chamber can help with sponsor introductions.
– Extended payment plans are available.

To secure your spot, an initial payment of $250 is due by the March class date, with the remaining balance due before summer break.

Please note: No refunds are available.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
1. Applicant must be classified as a sophomore or junior in high school as of September 1st of the current school year.

2. Applicant agrees to participate in the Teen Leadership Opening Retreat on February 2, 2026 from 8:00 to 3:00.

3. Applicant agrees to participate in a community service project as a group with their other class members.

4. Applicants agrees to complete 28 hours of community service hours during the 8 months of the program.

5. Applicant agrees to attend a minimum of 6 monthly workshops. Unexcused absences may result in termination from the program.

Demographic Information
Name*

First NameLast Name
Mobile Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Best e-mail address to receive information about TLW*
example@example.com
Parent/Guardian Name*

First NameLast Name
Parent/Guardian Mobile Phone*
Parent/Guardian Email Address*
example@example.com
Grade during 2025-2026 school year*
GPA*
High School Name*
Counselor's Name*
Counselor's Email*
Counselor's Telephone Number*

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

Please provide thoughtful and insightful answers to the following questions. Your answers will be read and scored by the selection committee to determine who will be invited to join the Teen Leadership Waco class. The use of AI to create the content and ideas of your responses is not permitted. We value your words and ideas.
Introduce Yourself. We want to know you.

Each answer should be 2-5 well-constructed sentences.
1. Provide information about yourself as a student - Academic, Athletic, Class Leadership Positions (include all extra-curricular school activities, interests, awards and special accomplishments). Tell us about your interests and hobbies, too.*
2. List your volunteer experience and/or employment history. List any other community involvement, community recognition or special accomplishments.*
3. What have you learned about needs in the community or what have you learned about yourself from your volunteer experiences?*
4. What are you hoping to experience as a part of Teen Leadership Waco?*
What are your thoughts about leadership?

Each answer should be 2-5 well-constructed sentences.
1. Describe what you believe are the five most important characteristics of a leader.*
2. What part of being a leader comes most naturally to you and what part is most challenging?*
3. Who is someone that you admire and why?*
3. Essays

Identify and explain your position on the topic. Support your position with specific examples, and explain your reasoning clearly. Keep your response to 500 words or less.
Essay #1: What are your thoughts about Waco? What makes Waco special to you (if it is)?*

0/500
Essay #2: From your perspective as a teen, what is one challenge Waco faces? How would you like to see leaders address it?*

0/500

Final Application Details, Document Uploads & Payment Info
Unofficial Transcript Upload*

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High Resolution Headshot Upload*

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Two Letters of Recommendation Upload*

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All applications will be reviewed by the Review and Recommendation Committee and then submitted to the Executive Committee for final review and selection.

Notifications will be sent out by mid December.

Please pay your application fee below. Applications will not be considered complete until payment is received.

If you have any questions regarding your application, please contact Rachel Ligon at rligon@wacochamber.com

My Products*

Application Fee

$25.00 Quantity

Total

$0.00

Credit Card

TLW MARKETING AND RECRUITMENT
To assist the Chamber in improving its program recruitment, please state how you learned about the TLW program. Please be as specific as possible.*

CounselorTLW AlumniWebsitePublicationTeacherSocial Media
Should be Empty:

2026 Teen Leadership Waco Application

2025 TENTATIVE PROGRAM DATES

SELECTION PROCESS

TUITION AND FINANCIAL COMMITMENT

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Demographic Information

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

Introduce Yourself. We want to know you.

What are your thoughts about leadership?

3. Essays

Final Application Details, Document Uploads & Payment Info

Credit Card

TLW MARKETING AND RECRUITMENT