The Washington County Youth Leadership Challenge (WCYLC) wrapped up an incredible first year with students from across the region leading real, meaningful change in their communities.
Students chose from four challenges focused on community issues that matter, supported by educators and community partners. Through these hands-on experiences, students built leadership skills and learned how to participate in civic life in ways that are practical, empowering, and real.
One of the challenges—“Make a Plan to Help and Support Businesses in Your Community”—invited students to explore how small businesses help shape and strengthen our towns, and how we all play a role in their success.
Presented by Dodie Emerson from the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Team at Sunrise County Economic Council, this challenge introduced students to entrepreneurship in an engaging, down-to-earth way with space to be creative, work collaboratively, and dig into the needs of their local economy.
Two school teams really took the challenge to heart:
At Jonesport-Beals High School, the ninth-grade High School 101 class connected directly with local business owners to better understand what support was needed. The students came up with a plan to promote shopping locally and pitched it to the Jonesport Economic Development Committee—successfully securing $500 to launch their Buy Local Festival of Baskets & Fundraiser.
This Easter-themed community event—complete with kids’ activities and pictures with the Easter Bunny—featured locally made products and services generously donated by area businesses and raffled off to raise funds. The proceeds will be used to print their “Discover the Heart of Jonesport-Beals” rack cards, a beautiful and practical resource to promote small businesses in their community and encourage shopping local.
Their hard work didn’t go unnoticed: the project earned a featured 3″x3″ ad on the Downeast Acadia Regional Tourism Map, putting their message in front of thousands of visitors. The students’ work to promote Jonesport-Beals businesses will be included in 20,000 printed copies of the map distributed across the region. It’s a powerful example of how youth-led ideas can have real and lasting impact.
Cobscook Institute students approached the challenge with creativity and collaboration. They took a field trip to the MaineStreet Business Building, where they worked hands-on with staff to brainstorm and prototype business support ideas. After testing a few concepts, they chose to create The Stor’easter—an online business directory designed to connect local entrepreneurs to local consumers so more people shop locally. Their final project reflected both innovative thinking and a deep personal connection to the small businesses that make their community thrive.
Both teams showed just how much young people can do when we give them space to lead—and a reason to believe they can.
At the final gathering on May 20 at UMaine Machias, students from across the WCYLC cohort came together to share what they’d learned and accomplished. Senator Angus King delivered an inspiring keynote that reinforced the importance and power of service and community—and the students truly delivered. Their presentations were grounded in real issues, filled with creative and thoughtful solutions, and gave a look at what’s possible when we invest in youth leadership.
Their work is a powerful reminder that when young people lead with heart and purpose, our communities—and our future—are stronger for it.
