LEXINGTON, Ky. — Nearly four dozen high school juniors have been selected for the 2026-27 session of Junior Achievement's Leadership Lexington Youth Program, a year-long initiative designed to nurture the next generation of community leaders through hands-on experiences and interaction with local officials.

The Class of 2027 includes 31 students from Fayette County Public Schools and 13 from private institutions across the Lexington area. Participating FCPS schools include Bryan Station High School, Carter G. Woodson Academy, Frederick Douglass High School, Henry Clay High School, Lafayette High School, Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, STEAM Academy, and Tates Creek High School.

The Leadership Lexington Youth Program, which was founded in 2004 by Commerce Lexington Inc., aims to prepare diverse high school juniors for leadership through education and hands-on interaction. After orientation in early September, participants will meet one Wednesday per month to explore specific topics including Local Lexington, Health and Human Services, Government and Public Safety, Arts and Media, Ambassador for Change, and Higher Education and Career Development.

The program culminates with a graduation luncheon in April. All students gain opportunities to network with local leaders, discuss community issues, explore career pathways, and develop skills to contribute to Lexington's future.

One past participant, Grace Wilson, now a senior at STEAM Academy and recipient of last year's Outstanding Student Leader award, credited the program with helping her grow alongside "like-minded individuals." She stated that "LLYP gave me the opportunity to grow with other like-minded individuals. The experience meant so much — it gave me new ideas of how to improve my community."

The program is coordinated by Junior Achievement of the Bluegrass. For more information, call (859) 219-2423.