Youth Empowerment Summit 2026

Inspiration • Innovation • Impact

A team-based showcase where Northeast Arkansas students demonstrate
creativity, problem-solving, and community vision through real-world projects

May 15, 2026

What is the
Youth Empowerment Summit?

The Youth Empowerment Summit (YES) is where year-round learning becomes visible, validated, and connected.

Students from participating Northeast Arkansas junior high and high schools present team projects to a panel of educators, industry leaders, and civic partners, demonstrating the skills they’ve developed in EAST, Robotics, STEAM, and Career & Technical programs.

This isn’t a typical competition or field trip. It’s a capstone experience where students showcase their work to employers and community members who can see their potential firsthand.

Who Can Participate?

Registration Deadline: March 30, 2026

Real Skills for Real Futures

The Youth Empowerment Summit develops workforce-ready skills that go far beyond the classroom:

Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving

Students identify real community challenges and develop practical, innovative solutions.

Presentation & Communication

Teams learn to articulate their ideas clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences—a skill employers value highly.

Collaboration

Working in teams of 2-5 members, students navigate different perspectives, delegate responsibilities, and achieve shared goals.

Confidence & Agency

When students see their work validated by educators and employers, they develop a stronger sense of purpose and capability.

Aligned with
Broader Educational Goals

YES even supports your school’s mission to prepare students for life after graduation:

Career Readiness

Students gain exposure to workforce expectations and professional presentation standards.

Leadership Development

Team-based projects build decision-making skills and responsibility.

Authentic Learning

Projects address real community needs, making learning relevant and meaningful.

College & Career Pathways

Success at the Summit can be highlighted in college applications and scholarship essays.

What Makes YES Different?

Unlike traditional competitions focused solely on winning, the Summit emphasizes inspiration, innovation, and impact. Every team receives detailed written feedback from judges representing education, industry, and civic leadership.

Students don’t just compete; they engage directly with regional employers and educators who can offer mentorship, internship opportunities, and career guidance.

What to Expect

Students enter based on their grade level and program area:

Each school may submit up to 3 projects per program area.

Students enter based on their grade level and program area:

Day 1 — Friday, May 15, at the Fowler Center (9:00 am–2:00 pm)

Teams of 2-5 members showcase projects that demonstrate:
Inspiration: The motivation and story behind their project
Innovation: Original, creative, and practical solutions
Impact: Measurable benefits for peers, schools, or the broader community
Projects should reflect work completed in the respective programs throughout the school year.

Presentation Length: 5-7 minutes, including setup time

Important: Students are responsible for bringing any equipment needed for digital presentations (laptops, tablets, etc.). Display equipment will not be provided, so plan accordingly for your expo booth setup.

Submit via email to jonesboroba@gmail.com

1. Team Registration Video (2-3 minutes): Due March 30, 2026

2. Project Abstract (200-250 words): Due May 1, 2026

Summarize your project’s inspiration, innovation, and impact in writing.

3. Final Presentation Materials: Due May 8, 2026

Submit slides, handouts, or any materials judges should review in advance.

Rules & Judging

Download

Eligibility Requirements

Open to students in grades 7-12 from any Northeast Arkansas junior high or high schools with EAST, Robotics, STEAM, or Career & Technical programs.
Teams only: 2-5 members per team (no individual entries)
Teams must include students from the same grade band (junior high or senior high)
All projects must demonstrate Inspiration, Innovation, and Impact
Each school may submit up to 3 projects per program area

Judging Process

Panel Composition

3-5 judges representing education, industry, and civic leadership

Conflict of Interest Policy

Judges must declare any conflicts (such as mentoring a competing team) and will recuse themselves from scoring those teams.

Scoring Method

Judges independently score each project using the official rubric (100 points total), then average scores to determine rankings.

Feedback

All teams receive written feedback highlighting strengths and opportunities for growth.

Judging Rubric

Category	Criteria	Points
Inspiration	Team explains motivation clearly, showing passion and personal/community connection.	0–30
Innovation	Team demonstrates originality, creativity, or a new method of problem-solving.	0–35
Impact	Team shows measurable or visible benefit for peers, schools, or the community.	0–35

Scoring Scale

Your Role in Student Success

Teacher and administrator guidance is essential to preparing teams for a successful Summit experience.

Questions or Need Assistance?

For additional support or questions, contact us at jonesboroba@gmail.com.

Before Registration:

During Preparation:

During Event Support:

Category Awards

Most Inspiring Team Story

Recognizes the team whose passion and personal connection most powerfully motivated their project

Most Innovative Team Solution

Celebrates original thinking and creative problem-solving

Greatest Community Impact

Honors the team whose project delivers the most measurable benefit to peers, schools, or the broader community

Overall Excellence Award

Best Overall Team Project

Awarded to the team demonstrating the strongest combination of Inspiration, Innovation, and Impact across all categories

Beyond the Summit

Participation in the Youth Empowerment Summit creates opportunities that extend well beyond event day:

Workforce Connections

Students interact directly with employers who may offer internships, job shadowing, or career guidance.

Portfolio Building

Projects and presentations can be included in college applications, scholarship essays, and professional portfolios.

Network Development

Students build relationships with peers from other schools, educators, and community leaders.

Confidence & Identity

Validation from industry professionals and educators strengthens students’ belief in their capabilities and future potential.

Invest in the
Next Generation of Regional Talent

The Youth Empowerment Summit is more than an event; it’s the capstone of year-round work happening across schools, businesses, and community partners. When you sponsor the Summit, you’re not just putting your logo on a stage. You’re investing in a community system designed to turn student grit into real opportunity.

800-1,000 students

across multiple Northeast Arkansas school districts

120+ team presentations

showcasing real projects and tangible skills

Direct connection

between emerging talent and regional employers

Measurable outcomes

that feed into long-term tracking and continuous improvement

Why Your Investment Matters

The Bridge

Students move from classroom learning to public, real-world application where their work is validated by educators and employers.

The Pipeline

Years of skill-building and confidence development are demonstrated in one concentrated experience, feeding into JBA’s long-term Grit-to-Growth Pipeline that supports students from middle school through early career.

The Ecosystem

Schools, families, employers, and community leaders show shared ownership of youth success, creating consistent reinforcement and opportunity.

Your investment directly supports student success through:

Student lunches and hospitality

(reinforcing dignity, inclusion, and belonging)

Workshop materials

(building agency and problem-solving skills)

Pitch competition prizes

(encouraging effort, resilience, and healthy risk-taking)

Keynote speakers

(providing aspirational role modeling)

T-shirts and branding

(strengthening identity and group belonging)

Signage and programs

(signaling community validation and legitimacy)

Each line item is intentionally tied to behavioral and identity outcomes, not just logistics.

Ready to Get Involved?

Whether you’re an educator preparing teams or a sponsor investing in regional talent, the Youth Empowerment Summit offers a meaningful way to support Northeast Arkansas students.