Teen Leadership Rockland

 

What is Teen Leadership Rockland?

Teen Leadership Rockland is a leadership development program for sophomore level high school students. The program connects students with leadership potential with peers and community leaders through interactive seminars.

Program Goals:

• Encourage participants to recognize their own potential and develop leadership skills and tools for improved community involvement.
• Provide opportunities for students from different geographical areas to develop a level of mutual trust and respect.
• Foster an awareness of community resources, volunteer opportunities and promote community service.
• Promote greater understanding of contemporary issues through interaction and problem solving with peers and community leaders.
• Develop pride in the Rockland County community.

What is expected?

Students are required to attend ALL sessions in full. Please review the tentative schedule below and consider all of your activities and obligations before applying. Business casual dress is expected.

Who may participate?

This program is open to all high school sophomores who reside in and/or attend school in Rockland County and are interested in developing leadership skills for their community and future careers. No current leadership experience is required; a demonstrated ability to take initiative and a commitment to learning are equally important to the members of the selection committee.

What is the tentative schedule?

Almost all sessions take place on designated Tuesday evenings from 6:00pm - 7:45pm. Schedule is subject to change.

Session Topic	Date
Orientation & Introduction to Leadership	October 28, 2025
Public Speaking	November 18, 2025
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion	December 2, 2025
Social Justice	December 9, 2025
Health Services	December 16, 2025
Arts & Culture	January 13, 2026
Leadership in County Government	THURS. January 29, 2026
Understanding the Justice System Part 1: Police	February 3, 2026
Understanding the Justice System Part 2: Court	February 10, 2026
History of Rockland County	March 3, 2026
Optimizing the College Experience	March 10, 2026
Environmental Stewardship	March 17, 2026
Life Lessons: Interviews with Community Leaders	March 24, 2026
Graduation	April 7, 2026
Snow Dates	January 6 & February 24

Where are the programs located?

All programs will be held in Rockland County. A list of sites will be provided at the Orientation session.

Transportation:

Participants are expected to arrange their own transportation to and from all session locations. If you are accepted into the program, but cannot arrange transportation, please contact the coordinator, Kristin Ruggiero, at klf37@cornell.edu.

What is the cost?

$100

($80 if the application and recommendation are received by September 15)

How can students apply to the program?

When the application becomes available, applicants should:

1. Complete the application online by October 6 (or September 15 for a reduced rate): https://bit.ly/TLRApp25. View a PDF of the application questions before submitting your responses. 
2. Request a letter of recommendation from an adult, non-family member to be submitted by your reference online at bit.ly/TLRRef25. It is your responsibility to ensure that the reference is submitted by your selected deadline, or your application will be considered incomplete.
3. Participate in a half-hour interview with members of the Selection Committee on Tuesday, October 14, or Tuesday, October 21. All interviews take place in person at Cornell Cooperative Extension (10 Patriot Hills Drive, Stony Point, NY).

Applicants will be informed by email as to the status of their application.

NOTE: Class size is limited. Applicants will only be considered if they submit their entire application online (including the letter of recommendation from an adult, non-family member) by the deadline and take part in the interview process.

View the TLR 2025 Graduation Slideshow for a review of the 2024-2025 program.

Apply for Teen Leadership Rockland Class of 2025-2026

Application (with recommendation) due: October 6, 2026

For a reduced rate, apply by September 15, 2026.

View a PDF of the application questions before submitting your responses.

Last updated July 22, 2025