September 7, 2018, is the application deadline for high school freshmen interested in the EmergeNext program. This program is a three-day program of the Wendell H. Ford Government Education Center focused on identifying, educating, and engaging young leaders in servant leadership in order to make a positive impact on their community.
EmergeNext will introduce young leaders to a variety of issues that impact the Greater Owensboro region and the Commonwealth of Kentucky, with a particular focus on developing leadership skills, working together and learning to compromise to solve problems.
“This program is a great way for the youth in our community to be introduced to a variety of issues that impact the Greater Owensboro region and help them learn the importance of becoming an engaged citizen,” said Elizabeth Griffith, Executive Director.
Students in the EmergeNext program are in session at the Ford Center for a total of three days at different times during the school year and are excused from school on those days. Many current students have an interest in public service, leadership, government, history, civics, and current events. “That is not to say that students who do not already have an interest in these subject areas should not apply. All students are welcome!” said Griffith.
The Wendell H. Ford Government Education Center is a non-profit organization and was established by former U.S. Senator Wendell Ford upon his retirement from the Senate in 1998. Senator Ford believed that students needed a better understanding of how our government operates, and that the principles by which he conducted his work: civil discourse, cooperation and the willingness to compromise, are vital to our nation’s future. In keeping with this mission, the Center established two educational programs for high school youth in 2012, the Statesmanship Academy and the EmergeNext program.
The EmergeNext program is a way for freshmen to find out if they are interested in government and public service before applying to the Statemanship Academy. It is not a requirement for the Statesmanship Academy, but it serves as an introduction to the Ford Center program.
“At the Ford Center, we strive to teach our students to examine both sides of every issue, to learn how to respect another person’s opinion even when it may differ from their own, and that working together should not be seen as a sign of weakness, but as a sign of strength, said Griffith, “We believe these ideals along with the Three C’s (cooperation, civility and compromise) are important for the next generation of leaders to understand.”
There is no monetary fee required to be in the program and students may apply online through the Ford Center website at fordgovcenter.com.
