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“CASL is more than a leadership conference with a bunch of “smart kids.” It is an unforgettable experience that will provide you with knowledge you’ll take with you for the rest of your life, to make a difference in your community or even the world.” ~ Zach Blanchard, CASL graduate
Capital Area Student Leadership (CASL) encourages students to become active, effective participants and leaders in their schools and community. The goals of CASL are:
• To recruit sophomores from Greater Concord area high schools who show leadership potential and young adults likely to assume greater community responsibilities. More than 675 students have graduated from CASL over the last two decades.
• To inspire students to develop, refine and utilize their leadership skills in order to contribute to the Greater Concord community.
• To educate students about local issues through the perspective of community leaders.
• To demonstrate problem-solving methods when dealing with opportunities and challenges within the greater Concord community.
• To create a dialogue and develop a network among the students and local leaders.
• To encourage students to recognize and develop leadership styles, skills and roles.
Download a PDF of the Capital Area Student Leadership brochure.
Any high school sophomore who resides in the Greater Concord area: Allenstown, Andover, Boscawen, Bow, Canterbury, Chichester, Concord, Deerfield, Dunbarton, Henniker, Loudon, Pembroke, Penacook, Pittsfield, Salisbury, Weare or Webster, and attends one of the following area schools: Bishop Brady, Bow, Concord Christian, Concord, the Derryfield School, Hopkinton, John Stark, Merrimack Valley, PACE Career Academy, Parker Academy, Pembroke Academy and Pittsfield Middle High is eligible to apply for Capital Area Student Leadership.
Attendance of each session day is vital for Capital Area Student Leadership to meet its objective. Students who cannot commit to the program in its entirety are asked to refrain from enrolling and to leave that slot available to another student who can benefit from CASL. Capital Area Student Leadership is an excused absence with permission from your school administrator or principal. School credit will be given for full participation.
Students are responsible for providing their own transportation to and from all program dates. Any transportation required during the Session Day will be coordinated by the Chamber.
Capital Area Student Leadership participants meet with prominent civic and business leaders throughout the state capital. Students are required to dress in business casual attire appropriate for the State House and photos with governement officials. CASL participants also spend time walking around the city in March. Students not dressed appropriately for the weather or for meetings with city leaders and officials will be asked to contact a parent for a change in attire.
CASL is a student leadership program designed to foster independent thinking. Students with questions regarding the program or application process are encouraged to contact the Chamber directly at (603) 224-2508 x105 or via email .
Thank you for your interest in CASL. To apply for the program, be sure to submit your application by Monday, December 9, 2019 at 5 p.m. In addition to your submitting your initial application, a completed Agreement Form is due at the time of the CASL Interview in January. This form requires a signature from your principal, guidance counselor, or other school official. In preparation for your CASL interview please plan ahead and give school administrators adequate time to provide the required school official’s signature on the Agreement Form. Please note: The Agreement Form can be submitted early along with your application.
Applications can be submitted online through our application portal, or by completing the application in PDF format. If you choose to complete the PDF form, submit your hard-copy application by mail, hand-delivery, or scan and email to programs@concordnhchamber.com. Click here to download the application in PDF format.
iHeart Radio "Movers & Shakers," hosts Dr. Deborah Osgood and Jack Heath interviewed Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce President Tim Sink about Capital Area Student Leadership and how the program is inspiring New Hampshire's youth to become active, effective participants in their schools and communities:
Capital Area Student Leadership alumni CJ Drabble brought his leadership skills to John Stark Regional High School in Weare:
Click here for a video about Capital Area Student Leadership presented by ConcordTV on the "Nonprofit Connection" television show.
Thank you to Northeast Delta Dental for sponsoring the CASL program this year. Supplemental funding for CASL is provided through the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce's annual Funds for Education Golf Tournament.