Three Bluffton High School students Haley Baker, Jadyn Barhorst and Zane Myers are members of the Allen Lima Youth Leadership Class of 2016.

The class will celebrate its graduation at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 27, at the Allen County Sanitary Engineer’s Office meeting room, 3230 N. Cole St., ALL Executive Director Heather Rutz announced.

Allen Lima Youth Leadership is presented in partnership with Lima Rotary Foundation and Lima Memorial Health System. It is a county-wide youth leadership program designed for 35 high school sophomores and juniors who are enrolled in any school located within Allen County.

This year’s students have worked as a group since October. For the first time this year, the students selected three service projects to address concerns in their communities. The students will talk about addressing teen pregnancy, drug and alcohol abuse, and mental health and social media bullying.

The program actively involves, educates and challenges youth to reach their fullest potential as leaders. It also provides an opportunity for students from the area schools to meet and interact with one another.

Allen Lima Youth Leadership provides the opportunity to:

·  learn more about how the Lima/Allen County community works

·  understand and accept civic responsibilities

·  develop leadership skills

·  respond to concerns in their community with service projects.

The course is free, thanks to partnerships with Lima Rotary Foundation and Lima Memorial Health System. Students who will be sophomores or juniors next school year can apply for the Class of 2017. Applications are available online and are due May 31.

Allen Lima Leadership (ALL) is a county-wide leadership program that develops adult and youth leaders for our community. ALL promotes positive change in the Allen County /Lima community by providing an education that improves understanding of community issues, institutions, self and others and training for individuals in advanced leadership principles. Learn more about the organization at​w​ww.AllenLimaLeadership.com.​