YLB Class Projects
The Youth Leadership Butler classes are responsible for developing a class project during their participation in Leadership Butler. The projects target the youth of Butler County, but beyond that requirement the classes are free to come up with ideas on their own. Those ideas are then narrowed down to a final project. The projects are always interesting and the classes have a wide variation of thought on what to do. Below are the past YLB class projects by year.
Class of 2007 - The 2007 YLB class named their project, "Murder Through Words." The project started with developing a script to address the issue of bullying in schools. After the project was determined, the legislature passed a law that schools must address this issue in their curriculum. With this in mind, the class decided to make their video a training tool for schools to use in their curriculum. Support came in the form of community individuals stepping up to help with the video, allowing the use of facilities and help with makeup. The video was written, filmed, produced and edited by class members and each school in the county was given a copy. The video also came with an evaluation to be completed by students and teachers and a request was made for the evaluations to be returned to the Leadership Butler office for quantification.
Class of 2006 - The class of 2006 took on underage drinking with a campaign entitled, "Eliminate Underage Drinking." The class has signs made to be posted at all high schools in the county and had arm bands made to give out to approximately 5000 high school students within Butler County.
Class of 2005 - The 2005 YLB class addressed the issues of bullying and depression. They worked with the idea of their target group being 8th grade students in Butler County. A skit was prepared by the group and was videotaped. The video was duplicated and then distributed to all 8th grade schools so that they can be used by school counselors.
Class of 2004 - "Flatline...When the party stops!" The class of 2004 created a form of "judgment house" held by several churches. The class provided a dramatization for 6th graders throughout Butler County (approximately 1000 students) in conjunction with local Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), forensics and other school organizations. The program, with help of the School Resource Officers in Butler County, set up a three room skit depicting a lunchroom scene where the initial party contact was made, the actual party scene, and the consequence room. The skits were very dramatic and sent a tough message to 6th graders about using alcohol and drugs.
Class of 2003 - The class of 2003 worked at three events for unmatched children of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Butler County. They planned a "caroling" event at the hospital during the Christmas season, a movie a the Historical Augusta Theater and a trip to the Sedgwick County Zoo.
Class of 2002 - The 2002 YLB class prepared ideas for public service announcements on alcohol use. They procured sponsors, discussed times with Cox Communications, developed flyers and developed two spots for their commercials.
Class of 2001 - The YLB class of 2000 planned an afternoon and evening with kids that were currently "unmatched" through Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Butler County. They contacted Butler Community College and received tickets to the girls and mens basketball games. The group also had players sign shirts for the kids, and offered pizza, games, activities and interaction for the group.
Class of 1999 - The class of 1999 investigated grant possibilities to adopt mandatory drug testing in Butler County Schools. There was also investigation on the effects this would have on students. The class designed policies and procedures for the program and researched actual costs of the program.
Class of 1998 - The class of 1998 went into the schools throughout the county and performed skits for the 8th graders on the effects of alcohol and drugs, as well as what signs to look for to identify friends using alcohol and drugs.
Class of 1996 - The 1996 class of YLB coordinated a trip to the Sedgwick County Zoo with educable handicapped children of Butler County. Each student was assigned to a child and became that child's mentor for the day trip.
Class of 1995 - The YLB class of 1995 worked with counselors at the yearly Camp Butler 2000, which works with "at risk" kids in Butler County. The class planned games and activities for the kids and implemented the activities.
Class of 1994 - The YLB class of 1994 prepared a proposal and bylaws for an organization of youth that would be liaisons with City and County Government. The group used student councils from each school district to place nominations for what would become the Butler County Youth Council. While the project did not get off the ground, the group learned the dynamics of beginning an organization, setting policies and procedures and establishing by-laws.
Class of 1993 - The YLB class of 1993 began investigation on starting an affiliate Big Brothers/Big Sisters program in Butler County. The actual organization started in 1995 and class members remained involved through the inception. Two class members served on the first board of the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Butler County. The organization is very active today and continues to help many children in Butler County.