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Honoring the Next Generation of Leaders at the 2026 Ladders for Leaders Celebration Day

Jul 27, 2026 | Celebrations & Awards

LFL Celebration Day 2026 Interns_ Group Photo

More than 100 young professionals took the next step toward their futures as Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area celebrated the conclusion of the 2026 Ladders for Leaders Internship Program.

On Tuesday, July 21, Club teen interns, their families, business partners, mentors, elected officials, and community supporters gathered at Austin Community College’s Center for Government and Civic Service for the 2026 Ladders for Leaders Celebration Day. The evening honored six weeks of hard work, professional growth, and career exploration while celebrating the incredible potential of young people from Austin, Manor, Del Valle, Round Rock, and Leander.

The celebration reflected Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area’s commitment to its Life & Workforce Readiness pillar—equipping young people with the skills, experiences, and confidence they need to thrive in college, careers, and beyond.

From Classroom to Career

Just six weeks earlier, these future leaders walked across the stage at Signing Day, where they were matched with internship placements and officially began their professional journeys.

This summer, 21 business partners opened their doors to Ladders for Leaders interns, providing meaningful paid work experiences, mentorship, and career exploration opportunities across industries including healthcare, technology, media, hospitality, law, government, and nonprofit organizations.

Throughout the summer, interns strengthened workplace communication, collaborated with professional teams, solved real-world challenges, built meaningful relationships, and gained firsthand experience that cannot be replicated in a classroom. For many, it was their first opportunity to see themselves as professionals—and to envision what’s possible for their futures.

Voices That Inspire

Behind every internship is a story of growth. During the celebration, attendees heard from intern Sydney N., who reflected on how stepping into a professional workplace helped her build confidence, strengthen communication skills, and gain a clearer vision for her future. Northshore Media CEO Kevin Chin also shared why employers have an important role in investing in young talent and providing meaningful opportunities that prepare the future workforce.

“Throughout this internship, I’ve strengthened my communication skills, refined my project management skills, and built more confidence in sharing my ideas.”

Sydney N.

Ladders for Leaders Intern

“It is paramount that we invest now into these future leaders that will innovate new technologies, develop life-changing procedures, and continue to build a strong and resilient workforce for future generations to come.”

Kevin Chin

CEO, Northshore Media Productions

Community Leaders Celebrate the Next Generation

The celebration featured inspiring remarks from elected officials who reinforced the importance of investing in young people and preparing them for successful futures.

The evening began with a special presentation from the Office of Congressman Pete Sessions, as Central Texas Outreach Coordinator Harold Glasscock presented Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area with an American flag that had flown over the U.S. Capitol in honor of the organization’s commitment to preparing the next generation of leaders and strengthening communities across Central Texas. This meaningful gesture recognized BGCAA’s lasting impact in creating opportunities that empower young people to succeed in school, careers, and life.

LFL Celebration Day_Office of Congressman_ Pete Sessions

Representatives from the Office of Texas Senator Donna Campbell, Sam Mainali and Reece Pacini, congratulated the interns on reaching this important milestone and emphasized the importance of beginning career exploration early through internships and hands-on learning opportunities. They encouraged the young professionals to continue building on the skills, confidence, and relationships they developed throughout the summer, reminding them that these experiences create a strong foundation for future success. To commemorate their achievement, each intern received an official Senate of Texas Certificate of Congratulations from State Senator Campbell in recognition of their dedication, hard work, and successful completion of the Ladders for Leaders Internship Program.

LFL Celebration Day_Office of Donna Campbell

As the event’s keynote speaker, Texas State Representative Donna Howard inspired interns with a message centered on opportunity, education, and workforce development. She shared that every young person deserves a fair shot to succeed and emphasized that investing in workforce development helps ensure talent—not circumstance—determines how far someone can go. Representative Howard praised the Ladders for Leaders program for bringing that vision to life by equipping young people with the skills, confidence, and real-world experience to pursue their dreams.

“As Texans, we are at our best when we believe that every young person deserves a fair shot to succeed. That means expanding opportunity, supporting strong public schools, investing in workforce development, and making sure that talent determines how far someone can go rather than one’s circumstances. Programs like Ladders for Leaders bring that vision to life by helping equip young people with the skills and confidence to pursue their dreams.”

Donna Howard

Texas State Representative

Following her remarks, interns were recognized for their accomplishments as they crossed the stage to receive certificates and medals, celebrating the successful completion of their six-week internships.

Investing in Futures Beyond the Internship

This year’s celebration marked a meaningful milestone for the Ladders for Leaders program with the presentation of the first LaKissa Bright Scholarship, honoring the legacy and impact of LaKissa Bright’s commitment to preparing young people for successful futures.

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area awarded a $1,000 scholarship to a past or current Ladders for Leaders intern. Applicants submitted personal videos sharing how the program shaped their personal growth, career aspirations, and educational goals.

“The confidence, growth, and purpose these students express is exactly why Ladders for Leaders exist. This scholarship recognizes a graduating senior whose story reflects the Ladders for Leaders experience and whose future is filled with promise.”

LaKissa Bright

Founder, Ladders for Leaders

Congratulations to Kai’Ry A., whose inspiring story reflected the confidence, perseverance, and purpose cultivated through the Ladders for Leaders experience. As the inaugural recipient of the scholarship bearing LaKissa Bright’s name, Kai’Ry embodies the leadership and determination the award was created to celebrate. The scholarship represents BGCAA’s continued investment in helping young people pursue higher education, meaningful careers, and bright futures.

Creating Pathways to Great Futures

,The Ladders for Leaders Internship Program is more than a summer experience—it’s a comprehensive workforce development program that prepares young people for success in college, careers, and life.

Through Ladders for Leaders University, teens build the foundational skills needed to thrive in the workplace before ever stepping into an internship. Participants receive hands-on training in resume writing, interview preparation, financial literacy, and social-emotional learning, equipping them with the confidence and professional skills to succeed in any career path.

By connecting young people with these essential workforce readiness experiences, caring mentors, paid internships, and professional networks, the Ladders for Leaders program, powered by Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area, is preparing the next generation of leaders, innovators, and changemakers across Austin, Manor, Del Valle, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Leander, Georgetown, Pflugerville, Hutto, and growing.

Congratulations to the 2026 Ladders for Leaders interns, and thank you to our families, mentors, business partners, donors, elected officials, and community supporters for investing in the potential of our youth. We are especially grateful to Austin Community College and its Strategic Events team for hosting this memorable celebration and helping create opportunities that empower young people to dream bigger, achieve more, and build brighter futures.