North Chattanooga resident Nisha Boyington is seeking applicants for the first class of Global Youth Leadership of Chattanooga, a program she started to help raise global awareness among rising sophomores, juniors and seniors in Hamilton County schools and demonstrate how they can execute a plan to help third world countries.
The class will be held one Tuesday each month at Chattanooga State September through May from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
“I have a big interest in global issues and my school has a really strong global awareness program,” said Boyington, a junior at GPS. “Most schools in Hamilton County really don’t have a global awareness program, so it’s an opportunity for kids from other schools to get that education.”
Rising sophomores, juniors and seniors attending school in Hamilton County can apply to participate in the program, said Boyington.
She said applications are available on the GYLC website and due by May 15.
Boyington said she is shooting for 20 to 25 people in the class, and standards for acceptance into the program will depend on the number of applicants.
The class will split into groups of four or five, and she said each will complete a project in which they propose a product intended to help solve a problem experienced by a third world country.
“You get to work with people who aren’t necessarily like you – people from different schools and all different walks of life,” said Boyington.
APPLY BY MAY 15Contact Boyington at globalyouthchattanooga@gmail.com or visit here. Donations to the program can be made through the non-profit Community Foundation. Checks should be made out to the Community Foundation and sent to:Global Youth Leadership of Chattanooga c/o Thinking Media, 340 Frazier Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37415.
She said each of the monthly sessions will have a theme, such as grant writing or relationships with governments overseas, and features a speaker for 30 to 45 minutes corresponding with the topic and stage of the projects.
“They are mapping out how to actively implement a project for a third world country in the most cost-effective way,” said Boyington.
At the end of the program, the groups will present their projects to the GYLC board and a winner will be chosen, she said.
Boyington said she will serve as facilitator for the GYLC class in its first year, working separately with each team.
She said she will be looking to identify a student in the class who can continue the program once she leaves for college the following year.
“Hopefully by doing that we’ll make it sustainable in Chattanooga,” she said.
Boyington said she also serves in the Global Ambassadors group at GPS, which brings in speakers to the school to promote global awareness, as well as Oprah Winfrey’s O Ambassadors and People to People Student Ambassadors.
“I travel a lot so I’m interested in cultures different from mine,” said Boyington, who has visited 38 countries all over the world while traveling with her family.
The cost for the program is $50, and Boyington recommends those who cannot afford the fee find a sponsor. She said she is willing to provide assistance in locating a sponsor for anyone who requests it.
“I don’t want money to be an issue (for applicants),” said Boyington.