WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- Twenty Warrensburg High School students from the 2020 Community Leadership and Involvement Means a Better Community High (CLIMB High) program toured at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, Jan. 29.
CLIMB High is a youth leadership program for students who are attending Warrensburg High School., interested in developing leadership skills and learning more about their community, Johnson County, Mo.
“It’s been a big benefit for college applications,” said Jessica Snare, a WHS student. “Just from the CLIMB High program alone, I’ve been able to apply for scholarships and can even use the experience for essay prompts.”
Approximately 250 students have graduated from the program since its spinoff from the adult class version, called Civic Leaders In Missouri Businesses, in 2007. Students must be selected for CLIMB High and the program focuses on the various aspects of community involvement, including government and military facets.
“Many of the students stay in Warrensburg, and do not know all there is to offer,” said Kim Hall, a University of Missouri life skills specialist and program coordinator. “The program exposes them to different areas to learn about the unique community assets they can be involved in.”
Stormy Taylor, a CLIMB High program coordinator and teacher, said she receives a lot of positive feedback from her students’ parents –which motivates her and Hall to continue the program.
“Getting the kids involved with the community and having them step up and be leaders is our biggest goal,” said Taylor. “The students are our future and we believe it’s good to invest in the future.”
Programs like CLIMB High foster healthier community relations through networking and information sharing. CLIMB High gives students an opportunity to enhance any future interactions they have between government members.
To see more recent Team Whiteman community events, please visit https://www.whiteman.af.mil/Community/.