Student Leadership Academy

A mother credited SLA with lifting her son from a GPA under 2.0 to 4.06 and into college, urging continued funding.

A 16-year-old SLA junior said the free program gave him internships and leadership roles he couldn't afford elsewhere.

An 11th grader said SLA taught life skills and landed him his first job; he asked the council to keep funding it.

A parent said SLA transformed her shy daughter, who became president of another program using skills from SLA.

SLA's assistant director said applications grew from 68 students to 500+ and thanked Council Member Burroughs, while calling for fair standards across districts.

An 11th grader said SLA gave her confidence in public speaking and asked that students not be punished over funding disputes.

An 11th grader said SLA helped raise his GPA to 4.0 and build speaking confidence; he asked the council not to punish the program.

A Friendly High senior said SLA raised her GPA from 2.0 to 3.14 and asked for continued funding.

An 11th grader said joining SLA 'was one of the best decisions I've made' and asked the council to invest in students.

Oxon Hill junior credited SLA with a life-changing WWE trip and friendships.

Said SLA gave her confidence and a voice, inspiring her to pursue law and write a children's book.

A 10th grader born in Guatemala, she said SLA made her a leader, peer mentor, and club president.

Said SLA taught him leadership beyond grades and thanked the council for funding.

Said SLA helped her earn a full ride to Howard University and urged continued funding.

Said attending County Executive Braveboy's inauguration opened her eyes to politics.

The SLA director asked for continued support, noting growth from 75 to 300 students.

Asked for increased funding to expand workshops and guest speakers.

A 10th grader who said SLA's weekly workshops helped him and peers grow.

A Friendly High 11th grader who said SLA mock trials built her confidence.

Said a conversation with Council Member Burroughs and SLA "saved my life" and redirected his future.

Said Maryland Leadership Workshops pushed him out of his comfort zone.

A graduating senior and peer mentor heading to Bowie State who asked the council to keep funding SLA.

Emotional senior who said SLA led her to college in Chicago and a passion for advertising.

An SLA success coach who described life-changing student transformations.

A 9th grader who said SLA workshops fixed his public speaking and resume skills.

Oxon Hill advisor and parent who asked the council to fund SLA and expand it countywide.

A Crossland freshman who said SLA helped her come out of her shell.

First-year SLA student who called the program a second home.

An 11th grader who highlighted his CPR certification from an SLA workshop.

Credited SLA's Puerto Rico trip and workshops with his growth; asked for continued funding.

A Friendly High student who said SLA mock interviews prepared her for the future.

A 9th grader who said SLA gave her a community and helped her overcome fear of public speaking.

A graduating senior who said SLA's resume workshop helped him land a job.

A young entrepreneur who said SLA's Myrtle Beach trip inspired her business, which won $8,500 in a pitch competition.

A 12th grader who said SLA taught her networking and confidence and asked for continued funding.

An immigrant senior who said SLA's jobs program gave her a job and career readiness.

A peer mentor who praised SLA's women's retreat and asked for continued funding.

The SLA assistant director described mentoring students like Morgan Gantt and the program's family culture.

An 11th grader who said SLA prepared him for his first job interview.

A Jones House career coach urging continued investment in youth.

A graduating senior who credited SLA weekly workshops with her leadership growth.

A 10th grader who said SLA workshops helped her find her voice and lead her school club.

An SLA success coach who described full-circle mentorship of county students.

A first-year student who credited her success coach and trips to Puerto Rico and Massanetten.

A junior who highlighted mock interviews and resume workshops.

A sophomore who said an NBA trip through SLA taught him teamwork and built confidence.

An upcoming senior who said SLA opened career doors and asked for continued funding.

A graduating senior who said SLA felt like family and led to an internship and scholarship nomination.

An SLA success coach for Crossland and Friendly who described transformative coaching work with Gen Z students.

Said SLA's free Puerto Rico trip was her first chance to travel; asked for continued funding.

Said SLA kept him from the wrong crowd and taught him discipline and leadership.

An 11th grader and peer minister who said SLA helped her find her voice.

A graduating senior who described SLA's Canada trip as a first passport stamp for many.

A sophomore who said the Wizards game and SLA support changed his outlook; asked for continued investment.

A freshman who praised SLA's men's retreat, including learning to tie a tie.

Said SLA helped her, new to the county, make friends through social events and the Puerto Rico trip.

Said SLA gave him summer jobs, experiences like seeing Messi play, and confidence.

Crossland's 2026 salutatorian who said SLA's Annapolis trip connected her with medical school representatives.

A graduating senior and SGA president who credited SLA's New York trip with building community.

A graduating senior who said SLA brought him out of his shell and asked for continued funding.

Said SLA's Poconos trip let him see a mountain for the first time and gave him mentors after losing his father.