Leadership and confidence are the underlying key components that permeate all areas of interaction and instruction. Teachers act as coaches and facilitators, and leadership workshops are offered each year from trained professionals.  The KVA philosophy encourages students to create challenges for themselves that engage their interests and passion. In such a scenario, though many mistakes can - and are - made, there is no such thing as failure.

Students are given every opportunity to step into leadership roles.  Interested students are responsible for starting up a journal for publication. They also maintain this web page. Certain courses, such as Web Page Design, were intiated at the specific request of students.  In previous years students have had significnat input on the yearbook production. The KVA Spring Drama Performance of two years ago, "Prince Valiant," was written by the students themselves.

GLOBAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

The Global Youth Leadership Conference is an intensive and stimulating leadership program.  The mission of GYLC is to educate and inspire students to fulfill their roles as the world leaders of tomorrow.  Scholars examine the concept of leadership in the context of international issues, covering both long-term and day-to-day events.  They focus on various areas of study, including global communications, the diplomatic community, peace and security, interdependency in the world, international law and human rights, international finance, and the role of the United Nations. 

They build critical leadership skills, such as communications, decision making, goal setting, and negotiation, through carefully designed simulations, exercises, and face-to-face interaction with today's global leaders.  This section of the conference takes place in Washington, DC (9 days) and New York City at the United Nations (3days), or in Vienna-Budapest-Prague for 13 days.  The student has a choice.

In the Global Summit simulation, students act as diplomats representing various countries on international commissions.  They deal with current issues such as drug trafficking, global warming, nuclear proliferation, foreign aid and terrorism.  Students present resolutions and adopt plans of action on these issues.  Learning to handle these situations and overcome these challenges provide the young leaders opportunities to reassess their values, stretching their capabilities and practicing new skills.

The Conference is held each summer, and students have a choice as to which 12 days to attend. It begins in July and goes through mid-August.