SKIL Students See Leadership in Action

Last summer, the City of Southlake in collaboration with the Carroll Independent School District and the Southlake Chamber of Commerce began discussions to create a joint leadership program for the community’s youth.

After several months of planning the Southlake Kids Interested in Leadership (S.K.I.L.) program was formed and the first twenty students, all Carroll Senior High School Juniors, were selected to be the first in this program.

This program in its first year has proven to be very successful. Both the City and the school district have received numerous inquiries from interested parents and the current students have found the topics discussed in the program to be engaging, useful and interesting.

The S.K.I.L. programs success is primarily due to the contributions that each organization has committed and demonstrates the capabilities of a partnership with a common goal.

An example of the great results of this partnership was demonstrated this week, at the Texas State Capitol in Austin. The S.K.I.L. students in addition to representatives from the Carroll Independent School District and the City of Southlake all met for a day of leadership learning with various leaders in the state including State Representative Giovanni Capriglione, Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath, TxDot Chief Engineer Bill Hale, Justice Don R. Willett and City of Southlake’s very own, Mayor Laura Hill.

The students heard from all these experienced leaders and the challenges facing the state at all levels that not only affect the City, but also the school district, the chamber of commerce and our region.

All three organizations are looking forward to partnering together and collaborating next school year and are beginning discussions on what the program is going to look like next school year for even greater success.