Kosciusko Youth Leadership Academy 2015 members recently had their first meeting. Pictured in front from left are Machaela Best, Triton Junior-Senior High School; Heidi Ziebarth, Lakeland Christian Academy; Victoria Biddle, Tippecanoe Valley High School; and Delaney Keirn, Whitko High School. In back are Tony Ciriello, moderator; Bailey Berelsman, Warsaw Community High School; and Meghan Fretz, Wawasee High School. (Photo provided)

WARSAW — The 22nd class of the Kosciusko Youth Leadership Academy held its first meeting of the year at the Baker Youth Club, Warsaw. This year’s class includes 35 students who are in their junior year of high school.

The KYLA class includes students from Lakeland Christian Academy, Tippecanoe Valley High School, Triton Junior-Senior High School, Warsaw High School, Wawasee High School and Whitko High School. During this introductory meeting, the students were introduced to KYLA board members, received information about what to expect in the coming year and participated in mixer games.

KYLA has monthly meetings at various locations around Kosciusko County, where the students will learn the basics of leadership and experience various areas of our community such as government, healthcare, manufacturing, agriculture and service agencies. Each will have the opportunity to strengthen his or her leadership skills by choosing and completing a community service project and reporting on his or her experience.

The next KYLA meeting is set for Wednesday, Oct. 7, at the Warsaw Police Station.