Youth LEAD is a program designed to develop and prepare students for future community support and leadership roles in Paducah/McCracken County. Youth LEAD targets high school juniors in Paducah Independent, McCracken County Public, private and homeschool systems. The students spend one day a month for six months learning about human needs and service learning, communication and career development, business and economy, law and government, and healthcare in McCracken County. 

Check with your school's guidance counselor for 2026-2027 Class #16 applications - they will be available August 2026. 

Youth LEAD Class #15 Graduation

Caroline Adkins, PTHS; Sasha Black, PTHS; Mollie Canter, MCHS; Paxton Carver, MCHS; Mason Clements, MCHS; Braxton Davis, PTHS; Ethan Dillon, MCHS; Katelyn Dillon, MCHS; Sam Dobson, MCHS; Anna Grace Everett, MCHS; Nolan Goode, MCHS; Caroline Grumley, PTHS; Lilly Hamilton, MCHS; Brennen Hartman, MCHS; Dellanie Horton, PTHS; Aaron Ladd, PTHS; Sophia Mabry, CCA; Meimei Manea, MCHS; Sophie McMillan, PTHS; Karlee McNutt, PTHS; Neely Nyberg, MCHS; Addy Richards, MCHS; Ma’Kel Ridgeway, PTHS; Caroline Roberts, MCHS; Kole Robertson, MCHS; Gavin Schooley, MCHS; Grant Seaton, MCHS; Ansh Shah, MCHS; Holt Shively, PTHS; Audrey Sims, SMHS; Sophie Stratemeyer, SMHS; Claire Tucker, PTHS; Ashton Wallace, MCHS; Daniel Walters, CCA; Luke Whiteside, MCHS; and Brock Wilson, MCHS.  

Continuing Education Youth LEAD Scholarship

The Leadership Paducah Alumni Association (LPAA) is committed to assisting Leadership Paducah and Youth LEAD graduates with continuing their education. Through funds received from LPAA activities, the LPAA has established a Youth LEAD and a Leadership Paducah Continuing Education scholarship. The purpose is to assist Youth LEAD and Leadership Paducah alumni with continuing their education, with first preference given to those continuing at local education institutions: West KY Community and Technical College, Murray State University or University of Kentucky College of Engineering-Paducah Campus. Exceptions to these institutions may be allowed if agreed upon by a majority vote of the LPAA Board during the selection process. The LPAA scholarship will be considered a renewable scholarship based on funds available each year.

Check back here for the next application window!