Business High Point – Chamber of Commerce recently concluded its annual Teen Leadership High Point program, an immersive week-long experience that introduces local high school students to the industries, institutions, and career paths shaping the city’s future.
Held in collaboration with community partners including the YWCA of High Point, YMCA of High Point and D-UP, the program provided participants with hands-on learning experiences, leadership development, and professional mentorship.
Throughout the week, students visited local showrooms facilitated by the High Point Market Authority, explored educational and skilled trade pathways at a local community college, and engaged in a mock City Council meeting to better understand civic leadership. Junior Achievement of the Triad led interactive workshops on financial literacy, Guilford Apprenticeship Partners shared information on alternative post-secondary education, while Goodwill Industries of Central North Carolina hosted sessions focused on resume building, interviewing skills, and dressing for success.
Teen Leadership High Point emphasizes diverse pathways to career success, from college to apprenticeships, and highlights the significance of industries like public service, higher education, and furniture design — the latter being a cornerstone of High Point’s global reputation.
“Through our partnership with Business High Point, teens are gaining firsthand leadership experience, building confidence, and seeing their potential to make an impact,” said Heidi Majors, Executive Director of the YWCA of High Point. “This collaboration directly supports the YWCA’s mission to empower young people to become the next generation of changemakers committed to justice, equity, and community leadership.”
By the end of the program, students walk away with practical skills, meaningful connections, and a renewed sense of purpose as they envision their role in shaping High Point’s future.