Youth With SKILs Make the Difference

“If we want to achieve our goal, then let us empower ourselves with the weapon of knowledge.” The words of  Malala Yousafzai perfectly capture the spirit of SKIL, Southlake Kids Interested in Leadership.

SKIL, a shared partnership between the City of Southlake, the Southlake Chamber of Commerce the Carroll Independent School District and championed by Southlake Mayor Laura Hill, will ask 20 Carroll students to share their vision for the future and then work with elected officials and local leaders to make it a reality.

“Our children have amazing ideas about what they would like to see now and in future,” said Mayor Hill. “When any citizens, including youth, are involved in setting new policies or providing feedback on community issues, the likelihood increases that the general public will be more educated about those policies. The more open and inclusive the process, the more trust people will have in the outcomes.”

SKIL’s meetings will challenge the students to participate in solving current civic issues at the state and local levels. It will also ask the SKIL team to participate in a year-end capstone service project which will forever mark their participation in the program.

“This student and adult alliance is designed to create better government and a better Southlake,” said Superintendent David Faltys. “This is a tremendous opportunity for Carroll students to get an insider’s look at how civic leadership works and how important it is to invest in your community.”

“I think our role in SKIL is so exciting,” said Mark Gilbert, President of the Southlake Chamber. “The Day of Internship is part of the SKIL yearly journey. Students will partner with a Southlake Chamber member to see how that member’s line of work contributes towards bettering our City. I believe that this will open eyes on both sides. I look forward to seeing in action.”

SKIL has direct ties to the City’s strategic plan Southlake 2030, the Carroll Independent School District’s District Goal to raise the academic challenge and performance of each student, and the Southlake Chamber’s goal of supporting and helping build a strong business community.

“We look forward to seeing what this first class will achieve,” said Hill. “But the real result will be ten years from now when more than 200 young people are using what they learned to make our world a better place.”

SKIL enjoys the support of U.S. Congressman Kenny Marchant, State Representative Giovanni Capriglione and State Senator Konni Burton.