Interested in joining Richardson Youth Leadership? Fill out the online application form below. You may want to draft your responses to the short answer questions and cut and paste them into the form. If you have any questions, please reach out to Courtney Rains at admin@richardsonyouthleadership.com.

Richardson Youth Leadership Application

One completed reference form from a non-family member such as a teacher, coach, family friend, boss or other adult. References must be solicited by the student and reference must complete the form in this link: Reference Form

RYL Session Dates (Session Overview and Locations Subject to Change):

9/3/25 - Application, Reference Letter, Transcript or Report Card Due

9/8/25 - Acceptance Announcements

*9/16/25 - Parent Meeting (required for students and parents) 6pm - 8pm

9/23/25 - Amazing Art Race 6pm - 8pm (dinner not provided this session)

*10/5/25 - TBD - 7am - 5pm

10/7/25 - Session 1 6pm - 9pm

11/11/25 - Session 2 6pm - 9pm

12/2/25 - Session 3 6pm - 9pm

1/13/26 - Session 4 6pm - 9pm

2/10/26 - Session 5 6pm - 9pm

3/3/26 - Session 6 6pm - 9pm

4/7/26 - Session 7 6pm - 9pm

5/5/26 - Graduation 6:30pm - 8pm

*Bold dates are mandatory; but we expect students to attend every session in order to have the full experience. Any student missing two sessions will be dismissed from the class with an opportunity to appeal. However, we know life and school happen, and we will work to accommodate the needs of any student.

If you have any questions regarding RYL or the application, please contact admin@richardsonyouthleadership.com. 

Purpose of RYL  

Richardson Youth Leadership is a program that fosters leadership skills for high school juniors attending an RISD high school, PISD high school, or non-public high school, regardless of residency. Also, the student can live in Richardson but attending school outside of the Richardson city limits.

During a period of eight months, participants spend an evening each month (Two in November) at various sites in the Richardson area learning about their community through activities designed to develop leadership and teamwork skills. Session topics include general leadership and ropes course training, as well as specific topics such as business, city government, personal branding, and public safety. 

Why Richardson Youth Leadership?

Richardson Youth Leadership is a program developed by the Leadership Richardson Alumni Association. The program's objective is to provide leadership training to Richardson youth to develop an awareness and understanding of the dynamics of a highly complex, rapidly changing society. 

What Will I Learn?

Richardson Youth Leadership offers students an exciting opportunity to develop leadership potential and have the opportunity to see career opportunities. Through participation in hands-on activities, participants will enhance their ability to help shape the community, country, and world in which they live – now and in the future.

How Can I Be Selected?

Richardson Youth Leadership is a program that fosters leadership skills for Juniors (11th Grade) living or attending school in the City of Richardson. Cost for the program is $175. A limited number of scholarships are available for students who qualify. 

For more information, please feel free to contact Courtney Rains at admin@richardsonyouthleadership.com.

Can I pay my RYL dues online?

Students accepted to RYL can make dues payments via PayPal by sending the $175 fee to "treasurer@alumni.com".

Or you can use the PayPal button below.