Leadership, Education & Development (LEAD)

Leadership, Education and Development (LEAD):

Supports the participating schools in the development of students to graduate and pursue higher education.
Exposes students to countless business and networking opportunities.
Improves our community by ensuring that more of our students graduate and contribute to our expanding workforce.
Engages local business support in the development of our students.
Provides opportunities to permanently change a student’s life and to improve not only their own success but the success of our community and businesses as well.

Click to read what Kandice & Brenda have to say about the LEAD Program >

Click to read what Alex has to say about the LEAD Program >

About the Program

The LEAD program is a business and education partnership that pairs high school students from participating schools with business leaders to foster mentoring relationships that educate and expose students to various business fields. By improving the students’ knowledge of higher education and potential career paths, they expand their goals for their future. Through this program, the Greater Waco Chamber hopes to motivate these students to graduate high school and pursue higher education, which in turn ensures greater employability and quality of life.

The LEAD program has been around for more than 10 years and has a nearly 100% graduation rate. In addition, we are proud that all students who have pursued some form of higher education. Currently, there are 197 students in the program and 93 mentors.

Get Involved >

Participating LEAD Schools

Connally High School
Harmony School of Innovation
La Vega High School
Lorena High School
McGregor High School
Midway High School
Rapoport Academy
Robinson High School
Methodist Children’s Home
University High School
Waco High School
West High School

Scholarships

Every year, we are proud to support graduating seniors by offering them exclusive access to scholarships. Students complete an application and go through a rigorous interview process. Since 2010, more than $600,000 in scholarships have been awarded.

2023 LEAD Scholarship Recipients

Congratulations to the 2023 scholarship recipients!

The annual $20,000 Bradley Ray Hulse Memorial Scholarship, presented by Central National Bank and The First National Bank of Central Texas, was awarded to Shiroz Kazani, a Midway High School senior who plans to attend the University of Texas to study nursing.

The remaining $47,500 was awarded to six other scholarship recipients.

Kevin Redmond, Waco High School senior, was awarded the $5,000 Reaching Back As You Climb Scholarship, presented by Ashley Philips, LEAD alumna. Redmond plans to attend Sam Houston to study criminal justice.
Yulisa Palacios, Midway High School senior, was awarded the $5,000 Alton Davis Memorial Scholarship, presented by the Davis Family, Atmos Energy and Slovacek’s. Palacios plans to attend Tarleton State University to study pharmacy.
Alana Chapa, Waco High School senior, was awarded the $5,000 Persistence Scholarship, presented by Magnolia. Chapa plans to attend the University of Houston to study education.
Patrick Coke, Midway High School senior, was awarded the $7,500 No Boundaries Scholarship, presented by the Battle Family and Brazos Masonry. Coke plans to attend the University of North Texas to study nutrition.
Imani Downing, University High School senior, was awarded the $10,000 Distinction Scholarship, presented by Magnolia and the City of Waco. Downing plans to attend Texas Tech University to study nursing.
Ivory Scott, Waco High School senior, was awarded the $15,000 All Star Scholarship, presented by Magnolia and the City of Waco. Scott plans to attend Trinity University to study sports management.

2022 LEAD Scholarship Recipients

Congratulations to the 2022 scholarship recipients!

The annual $20,000 Bradley Ray Hulse Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Madison Lindell, a La Vega High School senior who plans to attend the University of Texas to study film and media arts.

This year we were excited to present a LEAD alumni-sponsored scholarship. Ashley Phillips, a 2008 graduate of LEAD and Waco High School, created the Reaching Back As We Climb scholarship. She currently resides in Austin, Texas and at works at Apple. During the LEAD banquet, Phillips presented the $1,000 Reaching Back As We Climb scholarship to Waco High student Kiana Redrick. Redrick plans to attend the University of Texas to study psychology and child development.

The remaining $63,500 was awarded to 14 other scholarship recipients.

2021 LEAD Scholarship Recipients

Congratulations to the 2021 scholarship recipients!

The annual $20,000 Bradley Ray Hulse Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Jordan Burks, a Waco High School graduate who plans to attend the University of Texas to study economics.

The remaining $50,500 was awarded to 16 other scholarship recipients.

2020 LEAD Scholarship Recipients

Congratulations to the 2020 scholarship recipients!

Kimberly Hernandez received the $20,000 Bradley Ray Hulse Memorial scholarship.

The annual $20,000 Bradley Ray Hulse Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Kimberly Hernandez, a Waco High School graduate who will be attending the University of Houston to study business and architecture.

This year we are also proud to announce a new scholarship presented by Drs. Jake and Soo Battle: The Battle Family No Boundaries Scholarship. The $2,500 Battle Family No Boundaries Scholarship was awarded to Isabella Marie Dominguez, Midway High School graduate who will attend Texas Women’s University to study dentistry.

The remaining $44,000 was awarded to 18 other scholarship recipients.

2019 LEAD Scholarship Recipients

Congratulations to the 2019 scholarship recipients!

The annual $20,000 Bradley Ray Hulse Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Amaiya DeLeon, a Midway High School senior student who will be attending the University of North Texas to study music education and music performance.

This year we were excited to present a new LEAD alumni-sponsored scholarship. Ashley Phillips, a 2008 graduate of LEAD and Waco High School, created the $500 Reaching Back As We Climb scholarship. She currently resides in Austin, Texas and is a supply chain planner at General Mills. During the LEAD banquet, Phillips presented the Reaching Back As We Climb scholarship to Waco High student Armando Barry. Barry will be attending the University of North Texas to study sports journalism.

The remaining $36,000 was awarded to 14 other scholarship recipients.

How to Get Involved

LEAD is a great program for anyone who is interested in changing the life trajectory of local students! From becoming a mentor to sponsoring a scholarship or hosting an event, there's something to fit everyone's commitment level.

Become a Mentor

To continue to add schools and students, we need more mentors! Mentors are typically paired with between two and four sophomores from a participating school and build a relationship with these students until they graduate (and beyond). Each month during the school year, the Chamber plans industry tours and presentations that mentors and mentees may attend.

LEAD Mentors:

Commit to the development of students with leadership potential who need guidance and encouragement toward the pursuit of higher education and career goals.
Share their expertise and leadership skills while gaining satisfaction by encouraging and assisting in the development of our students.
Make the time (twice monthly during the school year) and commitment (three years) contribute to the lives of our students.

Sponsorships & Scholarships

Host an Event