LLYP Chooses Juniors for 2025-26 Session

Through the Leadership Lexington Youth Program (LLYP), nearly four dozen high school juniors will network with local leaders as they delve into various issues, explore career opportunities, and experience all that our city has to offer. During the 2025-26 program, these teens will also think critically about their vision for Lexington and develop the leadership skills to affect change.

“Each student this year demonstrated exceptional intelligence, ambition, and a unique drive, making the selection process incredibly challenging,” said Laurel Raimondo Martin, president of Junior Achievement of the Bluegrass, which organizes LLYP. “This program is highly competitive, and year after year the planning committee is inspired by the remarkable talent and potential of these students.”

Thirty-one of the 45 students in the latest cohort represent Fayette County Public Schools:

Bryan Station High School

• Boone Burris
• Kennedy Feltner-Happy
• Ryan Lownes
• Lincoln Wallingford

Carter G. Woodson Academy

• Mory Belle

Frederick Douglass High School

• Melody Epperson

Henry Clay High School

• Hannah Cooper
• Tanya Das
• Owen Donegan
• Anne Hankins
• Eli Hoffman
• Winifred Lile
• William Oakley

Lafayette High School

• Pol Marti
• Esme Morris
• Levi Morton
• Brittanee Nebbitt
• Kara Neiser
• Erinayo Oladele
• Annisa Zulkarnaen

Paul Laurence Dunbar High School

• Luke Ayoob
• Harper Hamann

STEAM Academy

• Isaac Angeles Plakosh
• Katharine Bragg-Henderson
• Meghan Bruner
• Chloe Gaddis
• Pedro Gomez
• MaKayla King-Johnson
• Mary Wainaina
• Grace Wilson

Tates Creek High School

• Ameera Hobbs

The class also includes 14 private school students.

After orientation in early September, the participants will gather one Wednesday a month to explore specific areas such as Local Lexington, Health & Human Services, Government & Public Safety, Arts & Media, Ambassador for Change, and Higher Education & Career Development. The program culminates with a graduation luncheon in early April.

LLYP is coordinated by Junior Achievement of the Bluegrass. For questions, please call (859) 219-2423.