Merion Mercy Sophomores Selected for Youth Leadership Academy

Three Merion Mercy Academy sophomores have been selected for the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce’s Youth Leadership Academy. Through the three-day program, Sarah Logan, Grace Nelson, and Julia Volpe were given an opportunity to meet and work with local business, government, community and media leaders.

The goal of the Academy is to celebrate student achievement and the power of leadership, as well as to encourage Delaware County high school sophomores to become better prepared to take on future leadership opportunities.

Throughout the Academy, interactive sessions addressed a variety of topics, including business leadership, working with the media, government/political, and nonprofit leadership. Participants also examined contingency approaches to leadership, leading in crisis, cognitive and emotive aspects of leadership, ethics and morality, followership, organizational design, and leading through change. 

Students selected for the Youth Leadership Academy must meet the following criteria:

• Delaware County resident

• Enrolled in the 10th grade

• Good academic standing

• Involved in extracurricular activities

• Demonstrated leadership abilities

Sarah, Grace and Julia are involved in the life of Merion Mercy in a variety of ways:

Sarah is a member of the crew team, Mercy Mission Corps, and Blue Key Society and is starting an ASL club. At the Leadership Academy she gained insight into the importance of seeing other people's perspectives, being a good listener, and displaying confidence in a challenging situation. She adds, "It was a great experience and I hope that others will participate in the future."

Julia is engaged in the yearbook. She said of the Academy, "I understand seeing different perspectives from people's lives and learned important lessons in leadership that will help me throughout life."