VISION
Before 2030, Polk County
will have leadership that
drives the partnership
with government and
citizens to ensure that
Polk County is a premiere
place to live, learn, work
and play
THE ENVIRONMENT
The environmental education
GOVERNMENT & HERITAGE
In Bartow, the class was
curriculum introduced students to introduced to many facets of Polk
the importance of land and animal County government, including
preservation; the ecosystem;
water conservation; recycling and
waste management. Students
a visit to the Board of County
Commissioners, the Courthouse,
and Clerk of Courts.
attended facilitated tours at At the Polk History Center,
Circle B Bar Reserve, Wastewater students were immersed in
Treatment Plant, and the Polk
County Landfill.
Polk County history, culture
and heritage through a series
of engaging presentations and
YOUTH LEADERSHIP POLK
INSPIRING YOUNG LEADERS
Over the 2017 summer, Polk Vision piloted a youth
engagement program designed to instill students with
a sense of belonging, support social and emotional
development, explore potential careers, and expand
knowledge of Polk County.
Partnering with Girls Inc. of Lakeland, Youth Leadership
Polk Class I was comprised of 6th and 7th grade girls
convened in day-long sessions, once a week for five
weeks. Students learned components of environmental
responsibility, government and public policy, history
TECHNOLOGY
While visiting Florida Polytechnic
University, class members were
challenged to design a new
technology to help solve a global
problem. Assigned to work in
groups, it was essential for
students to work collaboratively
and cooperatively. This exercise in
critical thinking also strengthened
communication skills as students
were required to present their
project to the entire class.
During the tour of the Polk State
College Center for Public Safety,
students watched trainees
practice defense techniques
and learned about fire rescue
operations when Polk County
Fire Dept. Station 450 rolled a
truck onto the scene. Students
met with Polk County Sheriff,
Grady Judd, and discussed career
Deputy and a female K9 Deputy.
expanding their academic knowledge.
— 7th grade participant, Girls Inc.
PUBLIC SAFETY
opportunities with a female SWAT
and culture, community health, and public safety while
Youth Leadership Polk taught
me that women can be anything
as long as they believe.”
interactive learning experiences.
HEALTH SERVICES
At Lakeland Regional Health
students were en gaged by
professionals representing a
GRADUATION
In order to graduate,
wide range of medical and health students were required to
care related careers. Discussions demonstrate their language and
also included the importance
of education and persistence in
achieving your goals. A highlight
included an exclusive hard hat
tour of the state-of-the-art Carol
Jenkins Barnett Pavilion for
Women and Children.
communication skills by making a
presentation to the class. Topics
included both the technical
aspects of what they learned as
well as how the places they visited
and the people they met inspired
and challenged them to achieve
their highest potential.
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Youth Leadership Polk
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