Teens Explore Public Policy, Leadership in a New Program From the Batten School

A weeklong Policy Leadership Advocacy by Youth, or PLAY, Program held at the Frank Batten Schol of Leadership and Public Policy introduced nearly 50 high school students from Charlottesville and the surrounding areas to the world of public policy and leadership.

A weeklong Policy Leadership Advocacy by Youth, or PLAY, Program held at the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy introduced nearly 50 high school students from Charlottesville and the surrounding areas to the world of public policy and leadership. (Photo by Ben Leistensnider)“Their natural inclination is to take risks,” Rivers said. “And, for me and for the work that we do, they make some of the ideal design partners for coming up with solutions to address the world’s problems.”

Through conversations about issues impacting them now, PLAY’s organizers set out to provide participants with leadership skills, introduce them to public policy and, eventually, build a pipeline of future policy and leadership studies students. (Photo by Ben Leistensnider)

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