"The Youth Leadership Program of Boyd and Greenup Counties provides engaging opportunities for students to learn, collaborate, and serve their community while preparing for their future academic or career endeavors."
It is the goal of the Northeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce to instill in these young people the responsibility for their own lives, and the lives of others and society, and to develop responsibilities for leadership in each area. The program is composed of 40 juniors from seven high schools in Boyd and Greenup counties and meets once monthly for seven months. Students are granted school attendance for sessions attended.
2025-2026 Youth Leadership Program is in its 32nd year!
ASHLAND, KY — Youth Leadership of Boyd and Greenup Counties is set and ready to begin our 32nd year. Our 2025/2026 Class consists of 40 juniors from our seven local high schools along with homeschool students. Participants spend one day a month in sessions that focus on such topics as: economic development, government, community improvement, arts & culture, volunteerism and leadership development. The program has two goals: the first is to instill in participants a sense of responsibility for their own lives and the lives of others; the second is to develop leadership skills so these young people can take part in shaping the future of our region.
Youth Leadership Committee of Volunteers who give their time to make this program a success:
Jeremy Holbrook – Chairman, Boyd County Commissioner
Jaime Bloss – Vice-Chair Greenup County Tourism Director, Youth Leadership Alumni
Vincenzo Fressola - City of Russell Councilman
Stephan Harris - UK King's Daughters
Kim Harrison – Individual
Jon Humphreys - Marathon Petroleum Co. LP
Leon Mattingly – Individual
Heather Moore - Boyd County Schools
Ann Perkins – Safe Harbor of Northeast Kentucky
Kyla Preece - Jobs After Graduation (JAG Program)
Grace Roar - Ashland Community & Technical College
Brittany Spillman - Ashland Community & Technical College
Sophia Clark- Senior Representative
Catie Hardesty- Senior Representative
Katie Lykins - Senior Representative
Anniston Mertz - Senior Representative
Aby Vorndran - Senior Representative
2025/2026 Participants by School
Ashland
Jenna Delaney, Bentley Harrison, Greer Layman, Kaylee Moore, Delilah Parsons, Katie Roberson, Aubrie Skaggs
Boyd County
Mia Brandenburg, Hailey Cassity, Alicia Daniels, Conner Davis,
Eden Henderson, Gatlin Wilks
Fairview
Ryder Harper , Madison Loving
Greenup County
Jasper Davis, Ellie Hunt, Natalee Reffitt, Hannah Scott, Alexandria Wolf
Raceland-Worthington
Landon Bloss, Cameron Bryan, Cade Coldiron, Carly Fannin, Aubriel Large, Gunnar Smith, Jorden Stewart, Jacob Waller
Rose Hill
Alexander Rice, Benjamin Stevens
Russell
Myra Jindal, Aspen Lyons, Kyle Johnson, Jade LeMaster, Raegan Pack, Jaedyn Roe, Mya Sarver, Audrey Virgin , Addi Wall, Kaley Wilson
Senior Representatives
Sophia Clark, Catie Hardesty, Katie Lykins,
Anniston Mertz, Aby Vorndran
2025/2026 Session Hosts
Setpember 2025: Marahthon Petrolium Plant & Marathon Marine with lunch provided by Marathon.
October 2025: Wander Russell , Print My Threads, West End Jewelery, The Barker Shop, The Nest, The Train Station, Signature Laser Creations, The Edge Venue, with lunch provided by El Colonial.
November 2025: Safe Harbor, The Drop (Pathways), The Neighborhood with Lunch provided by The Ashland Community Kitchen.
December 2025: Boyd County Judicial Center with Judge Reese, Boyd County Jail, Boyd County Fiscal Court with lunch provided by Jimmy Johns of Ashland.
January 2026: U.K. KDMC with lunch provided by UK KDMC.
February 2026: ACTC @ Technology Drive Campus & Their Career Services Department with lunch provided by ACTC's hospitality department.
March 2026: Greenbo State Park & Greenup County Tourism with lunch purchased at Greenbo Lodge
