Seven students from Beechwood, Dixie Heights, St. Henry and Notre Dame Academy will spend the coming school year learning about local government, economic development and community leadership as members of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce's 33rd Regional Youth Leadership class.

The Chamber announced the 44-member class on Aug. 5, drawing from 34 schools across Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. The seven-month program runs September through March, with monthly sessions held during the school day.

Finn Bailey and Lily Roeding-Macke, both from Beechwood High School in Fort Mitchell, lead the local contingent. Clara Chiang represents Dixie Heights High School. St. Henry District High School sends Andrew Hagedorn and Liam McCormack, while Notre Dame Academy's Anabelle Lawrie and Frances Maier round out the Kenton County selections. Two additional Northern Kentucky students, Allie Lonneman and Mirian Van Ausdall from Newport Central Catholic, also made the class.

All are high school juniors.

Applicants needed at least a 3.0 GPA, demonstrated leadership in school or community activities and a stated interest in learning about the region.

"Regional Youth Leadership offers high school students a valuable chance to learn from local leaders who are making a real difference and get immersed in multiple topics that are important to our region," said Ann Marie Whelan, director of leadership at the NKY Chamber.

Whelan, the program's director since 2024 and a staff member involved with Regional Youth Leadership since 2014, said the Chamber looks forward to seeing how the new class turns "skills and lessons learned throughout the sessions into meaningful change."

The program is modeled after Leadership Northern Kentucky, the Chamber's adult professional track. As we reported July 26, two Kenton County professionals were named to that program's 2027 class earlier this summer. The youth version covers topics including arts and culture, human services, health, law and life skills.

The Chamber describes the program as a talent-retention strategy for the region, aiming to develop young leaders who stay and invest in Northern Kentucky after graduation.

The Kenton County school year opens Aug. 19, with RYL sessions set to begin in September.