A Leadership Experience Built Around Service, Purpose, and Impact.
Every year, a select group of students comes together to learn what it truly means to serve others.
Through fundraising, community engagement, leadership development, and hands-on service, Teen Leadership Academy members become part of something much bigger than themselves.
Applications Open Each August HERE
The Teen Leadership Academy Journey
Our Teen Leadership Academy experience is intentionally designed as a two-phase leadership journey that transforms compassion into action. Members begin by building a strong foundation through education, service, and community engagement before applying those experiences through fundraising, advocacy, and hands-on impact. By the end of the program, students leave not only with leadership skills and volunteer hours, but with the confidence of knowing they made a meaningful difference in the lives of families impacted by childhood cancer.
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FOUNDATION & SERVICE
September – December
Students build a strong foundation through education, leadership development, Comfort Kit service projects, hospital outreach, and community engagement.
Before we ask our Teen Leadership Academymembers to lead, we teach them to serve.
During the first phase, members will:
✔ Learn the mission of the Carsyn Neille Foundation
✔ Understand childhood cancer and environmental wellness
✔ Assemble and deliver Comfort Kits
✔ Participate in hospital outreach
✔ Meet community leaders
✔ Build relationships as a team
✔ Develop leadership and communication skills
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ACTION & IMPACT
January – May
Students apply what they've learned by planning and executing a signature fundraising event, participating in a Rooms to Thrive™ project, and celebrating the collective impact they've made throughout the year.
Once our Teen Leadership Academy has built that foundation, it's time to create impact.
Members will:
✔ Execute one signature fundraising event
✔ Help prepare and complete a Rooms to Thrive™ project
✔ Participate in community outreach
✔ Document and celebrate impact
✔ Reflect on leadership growth
✔ Receive volunteer hours and recognition
Your Leadership Journey
One School Year. One Leadership Journey. A Lifetime of Impact.
Joining the Teen Leadership Academy is more than volunteering—it's stepping into a year-long leadership experience intentionally designed to cultivate compassionate, confident, and purpose-driven leaders.
Following the natural rhythm of the academic year, members embark on a carefully crafted journey where each month introduces new opportunities to learn, serve, collaborate, and grow. Every experience builds upon the last, strengthening leadership skills, fostering authentic friendships, and creating meaningful impact for families facing childhood cancer.
From the excitement of Orientation to the pride of our End-of-Year Celebration, every milestone has a purpose. Along the way, students gain hands-on leadership experience, develop real-world professional skills, discover the power of service, and leave a lasting legacy within their community.
This isn't just a series of meetings or volunteer hours. It's a transformational journey—one that empowers students to lead with courage, serve with compassion, and become the kind of leaders our communities need most.
One school year. One leadership journey. Endless opportunities to make a difference.
The CNF Impact Portfolio
More Than Volunteer Hours. A Record of Purpose. A Reflection of Impact.
Every Teen Leadership Academy member graduates with more than memories, they leave with a collection of experiences, accomplishments, and professional tools that reflect a year of meaningful service and leadership.
Throughout the program, students build a personal leadership portfolio that showcases their growth, commitment, and community impact.
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Documented service hours earned through hospital outreach, Comfort Kit assemblies, fundraising events, and community engagement.
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Hands-on experience serving within a structured nonprofit organization while contributing to real projects with measurable outcomes.
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Professional images that can be used for college applications, scholarships, LinkedIn profiles, and future leadership opportunities.
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Students who successfully complete the program and demonstrate consistent leadership, accountability, and follow-through may request a personalized letter of recommendation from the Carsyn Neille Foundation.
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A record of the initiatives, service projects, and fundraising efforts completed throughout the year, including measurable program impact.
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Recognition of each student's commitment and contributions during the annual Teen Board Celebration.
Previous Teen Leadership Academy
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Lakshmi Birasam (TVP), Casey Davis (TT), Niyayesh Farahbakhsh (TS), Khrish Patel, Alex Groth, Mahum Khan, Pari Mattewada, Camryn Paul-Davis (TP), Emma Williams, Pragnya Gopisetti, Sydney Noel (TP), Nadhi Rajendrakumar, Meera Tejaswini Krishnamoorthy, Advika Kothari, Riley Brashears, Aarini Agrawal, Kirthika Duggisetty, and Ronin Grino
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Aniyah Calhoun, Casey Davis, Samantha Hart, Shelia Nkuranga, Khrish Patel, Camryn Paul-Davis, Gracee R. Peterson, Carlos Torres, and Jakobi Trent
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Casey Davis, Camryn Paul-Davis, Petra Randlolph, Brielle Lewis, Jayden Petrof, Candace Jackson, Kristin Miller, TJ Warris, Jake Paradise, Leah Topete, Katelyn Jones and Gaby Havens
