CUSHING CHAMBER TOMORROW'S LEADERS PROGRAM
A Community Leadership Development Program for High School Juniors
Hosted by Cushing Chamber of Commerce
Objectives:
TOMORROW'S LEADERS is designed to instill a sense of community pride in participants through experiencing the various elements that interact to form a strong & dynamic Cushing. The program has four specific objectives:
* Motivate potential leaders
* Acquaint participants with community needs, opportunities, and resources. * Provide participants with opportunities for interaction with community leaders and decision makers.
* Equip participants with various leadership skills.
Program Schedule 2026:
| SESSIONS | DATE & TIME | LOCATION | PRESENTERS |
| Session I
|
Thurs. Sept. 10, 2026 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. (Students/Parents) |
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“Life Skills and Leadership”
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| Session II
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Tues. Sept. 22, 2026 8:30 am – 12:30 pm Lunch will be catered by: |
Fechner Event Center |
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“Colors Test”, “Character First” Business Panel: Working Lunch |
| Session III
|
Tues. Oct. 13, 2026 |
OKC Trip OK Capitol & OKC Memorial & Museum
|
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Senator Grellner & Rep. Jenkins Oklahoma Arts Council Capitol Tour Climb the Dome at OK Capitol |
| Session IV
|
Tues. Nov. 3, 2026 8:30 am – 2:30 pm: TL participants 9:30 am – 11:50 am: Junior Class 12:35 pm – 2:30 pm: Sophomore Class |
CHS Fieldhouse
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Teambuilding with FCA
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| Session V
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Tues. Nov. 17, 2026 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM |
Cushing Chamber office
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City of Cushing Govt. Demostration City Leadership Pipeline Tour Financial Literacy History of Cushing – Tyson Branyan Cushing Marketplace - Service Project
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Requirements for participation:
The Tomorrow's Leaders Committee will accept applications from High School Sophomore students that will be Juniors during the 2026-2027 school year that meet the following requirements:
* Leadership Potential
* Commitment to attend the entire program
* Completion of a formal application
How to Apply:
Applications for the Tomorrow’s Leaders Program will be distributed following a Special Sophomore Assembly in March of every year. Sophomore students may apply through the link in the bulletin, on the Cushing Chamber Tomorrow's Leaders website page, or by picking up an application at the special assembly. Applications must be submitted to Mr. Peeper in his classroom by a April 6, 2026. Any applications NOT signed by the applicant AND parent, and/or submitted after 3:30 PM will not be accepted.
SEE ONLINE AND PDF APPLICATIONS BELOW; APPLICATIONS ARE DUE TO MR. PEEPER OR TO THE CUSHING CHAMBER OFFICE NO LATER THAN APRIL 6, 2026 AT 3:30 PM.
Tuition:
There is no tuition fee for student applicants. All costs for the Tomorrow’s Leaders program including meals, speaker costs, Tomorrow's Leaders t-shirts for all participants that are chosen, Tomorrow's Leaders leather-bound notebooks for session notes (if enough sponsorship support for program), and session materials are provided by the Cushing Chamber of Commerce and their Member Partner Business Sponsors.
Areas Addressed:
AMONG THE TOPICS TO BE COVERED ARE:
* Leadership Skills (including communication skills, motivation, presentation skills, etc.)
* Team Building
* Local business climate/community - Financial Literacy
* Community involvement and future involvement.
Position Statement:
The Cushing Chamber of Commerce established a leadership program for High School Junior students from the Cushing area in the early 80's. This program is based on the model of Leadership Cushing, the Cushing Chamber Adult Professionals Leadership Program, but structured to meet the needs of today’s youth. The program consists of a series of issue-oriented sessions. The sessions will emphasize that truly effective leadership requires knowledge, motivation, concern for others, and strong moral character. It is the goal of this program to provide information, guidance, challenge, and honor to future community leaders. Participants will be selected on the basis of past performance in school, essay answers, and through other community and student activities.
Committee Members for 2026-2027 are:
*Dawna McMackin, Watts Wellness Worth
*Bill Peeper, Cushing High School Teacher
*John Talley, FCA
*Carrie Gilbert-Blue Sky Bank
*Brian Porter - Blue Sky Bank
*Verna Huckabay, Dove Construction/Dove Properties
Cushing Chamber Member Partners are strongly encouraged to get involved with the Tomorrow's Leaders Committee. Any Member Partner Business owner and/or staff may join the committee.
Committee members take turns attending the Tomorrow's Leaders Sessions, meeting with the student participants, and helping where needed. The committee also plans all sessions and helps with sponsorship asks to other Cushing Chamber Member Partner businesses.
SPONSORSHIPS:
Sponsorships for the 2026 - 2027 Tomorrow's Leaders Program are now available. Some Sponsorship levels include 5 - 10 minutes before a session to present to the Tomorrow's Leaders student participants and we encourage sponsor businesses to present to the student participants if their business has a scholarship or other youth program; if the business is geared towards items/products/involvement that the participants need to know about; etc.
To register for a sponsorship and support the Cushing Chamber Tomorrow's Leaders Program, please click here: