Leadership Development Academy

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Selection & Identification of Participants

Area schools are contacted and asked to refer young people who would benefit from a biblically based, mentoring, and self-development program. Students are required to complete an application and along with the parent or guardian, meet with academy leaders. The program content, objectives and requirements are discussed, the parent is then asked to discuss the program with the child and decide if the program appeals to each of them. Applicants can also be referred by existing participants in good standing or a supporting church.

Program Highlights

Youth Leadership Development

The successful middle and high applicants are referred to as Leadership Cadets and attend a weekly self-development session. Weekly monitoring of academic progress and conduct allows volunteers to address personal and family issues that can interfere with achievement or attendance.

Cadets receive academy-provided tutoring. Maryville College students working to meet community service requirements provide academic support and tutoring on a weekly basis. The Academy also provides voice, dance and music lessons, encouragement and mentoring.

Each weekly session begins and ends with prayer and scripture. Cadet Chaplains are responsible for the opening and closing of sessions.

The cadets routinely take field trips to the public library, local business or industry, local fire and police department. Selected sessions are held at the local community college. Visits are also made to local city and county commission meetings, as well as school board meetings.

The weekly sessions place major emphasis on academic excellence, integrity, appropriate dress, respect, manners and personal responsibility. Other topics relative to facing common challenges of school-aged children are discussed briefly (teen health, chemical dependency, crime and punishment, etc.)

Regular rewards and recognition for cooperation and participation make cadets eager and willing participants. Pizza parties, University of Tennessee games, elegant dinners, Limousine rides and parties are just a few.

LMU Medical student Stephanie Gorman
addresses Kramer Camp

Robert Shaw's James R Allen

Fred Forster the CEO of Blount County Chamber of Commerce

Leadership Kiddets
In 2008 the Dorothy Ware Music and Dance component of the Academy was expanded to include the Leadership Kiddet component. Designed to serve as a “feeder” for the middle and high school program, the Leadership Kiddets are elementary students selected to participate in activities designed to improve their opportunities for success. Values, team building, study skills, manners, self-respect, and respect for others are a few of the major emphasis for the “Leadership Kiddets” Local elementary schools refer “Kiddet” applicants who must also apply and interview,.

Rewards and incentives help make academic achievement and school attendance more important to “kiddets”.

The Kramer Summer Leadership Camp and Youth Congress is the summer gathering of leadership cadets from Richard Williams Jr. Leadership Development Academy. Cadets are invited to participate in the week long camp based on attendance, academics, and attitude indicated during the academic year. Hosted by Maryville College, and sponsored by major local employers, DENSO, and The Alcoa City Center, the camp supplements the year-round Leadership Academy emphasis on excellence and achievement. Selected Leadership cadets participate in a comprehensive week of developmental activities emphasizing Personal/professional development, spiritual development, academic preparation and fellowship and fun. This gives the cadet a college like experience as well as an intense week of development. Cadets live on campus, attend classes, visit local business and industry as well as attend college preparation seminars

Academy Slideshow