From staff reports:

The Washington State Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (WSASCD) announced that Federal Way Chamber of Commerce’s Advancing Leadership Youth program is the recipient of their Community Award for 2011.

The honor is awarded annually to an individual, organization, or business that contributes to education in Washington. The award was accepted by Executive Director Teri Hickel at the WSASCD-OSPI Annual Conference in Seattle on Oct. 14.

Advancing Leadership (AL) and Advancing Leadership Youth (ALY) are intensive community leadership programs developed by the Federal Way Chamber of Commerce and its community partners. Since 1998, hundreds of local adults and youth have experienced the life-changing effects of these community based programs. Advancing Leadership transforms passionate people into a community of extraordinary leaders. The comprehensive program builds relationships, develops personal strengths, and inspires a commitment to action to support the whole community.

Advancing Leadership Youth brings together teens from all over the city for a comprehensive community experience. This student version of the original Advancing Leadership program began in 2005, and is comprised of high school sophomores and juniors of diverse cultures and economic backgrounds. Participants are selected from applications submitted by high school students throughout Federal Way. The program nurtures and develops positive leadership attributes in Federal Way area high school students, to drive change in their communities. Students graduate from the ALY program ready to take their places within the new generation of leaders.