The Leadership Cobb Alumni Association (LCAA) sponsors Cobb Youth Leadership (CYL), a leadership program for rising high school juniors that focuses on developing leadership skills through interactive participation. This program was created in 1989 to provide students a unique opportunity to learn about their community as well as meet and interact with students from other high schools.
Students attending public or private high schools or home-school students in Cobb County must complete and submit applications for CYL in the spring of their sophomore year. Applications are reviewed by the CYL Steering Committee and approximately 50 students are chosen for the class. Students participate in the program during their junior year of high school.
For more information about CYL, contact Katie Guice at 770-859-2334 or kguice@cobbchamber.org.
Applications Open!
Applications are now being accepted for the 2019-2020 Cobb Youth Leadership Class. All applications must be submitted by April 19, 2019.
Presenting Sponsor

2018-2019 Cobb Youth Leadership Co-Chairs
Chris Fields
MUST Ministries |
Becky Shipley
Northeast Cobb YMCA |
Cobb Youth Leadership Vice Co-Chairs
Anna Emerson
The School Box |
Robert Stephens
CFO Navigator |
Cobb Youth Leadership Steering Committee
Sonya Allen
Cobb County Sherriff's Office
Megha Dilip
Walton High School
Jude Dooley
West Cobb YMCA
Abby Gardner
Mount Paran Christian School
Kiran Gourisankar
Campbell High School
Hannah Jackson
Kell High School
Mary Johnson
The Walker School
Max Leiter
Marietta High School
Lauren Hopkins
Harrison High School |
Brian Marcos
Smyrna Fire Department
Tim Milligan
City of Marietta Fire Department
Tammy Palmgren
Kaiser Permanente
Christine Reliford
Devin Rowley
Campbell High School
Erin Sheehan
College Football Hall of Fame
John Tarrer
The Classical School
Thomas Tucker
North Cobb Christian School
Scott Wright
524 Creative |
Frequently Asked Questions about CYL
What are some of the activities of CYL?
Through approximately five evening programs during the course of the school year participants in the CYL program are introduced to local, state and national leaders. They also receive information on the responsibility, ethics and tools for effective leadership. The monthly programs run from August through April. Students also participate in two retreats where they focus on team building, personality inventories and additional leadership topics such as cultural diversity and community service.
When does CYL meet?
An orientation takes place in August along with a Fall Retreat in September. Following the retreat, evening programs are held monthly September through March. The year concludes with a spring retreat held in late March/early April.
What costs are associated with being a part of CYL?
Current tuition for selected students is $650.
Who is in charge of CYL?
CYL is governed by a steering committee comprised of Leadership Cobb Alumni and high school seniors as recent graduates of CYL.
How does someone learn more about CYL?
Contact the Leadership Cobb Alumni Association through the Cobb Chamber, or contact Katie Guice at 770-859-2334 or kguice@cobbchamber.org.
How can someone provide assistance to CYL?
By serving on the CYL Steering Committee, providing financial assistance to a candidate who is unable to pay the tuition or by sponsoring a program for CYL