Indian Hill hosts inaugural Brigadier General Charles Young Student Leadership Summit

More than 115 high school students from 12 school districts joined together for a day dedicated to leadership learning

The Indian Hill School District and Indian Hill Entrepreneurs’ Center, in partnership with the BG Charles Young Foundation, hosted the first-ever Brigadier General Charles Young Student Leadership Summit, bringing together more than 115 high school students from 12 school districts across Southwest Ohio for a day dedicated to leadership, learning, and connection. Six months in the making, the Student Leadership Summit was intentionally designed to mirror the types of professional conferences adults often experience, providing students with meaningful exposure to leadership development at a high level.

“The vision for this summit was to create an authentic leadership experience for students, one that challenges them to think bigger about their potential and their impact,” said Jeff Damadeo, Indian Hill director of K–12 Leadership and Career Development. “By learning from the legacy of Brigadier General Charles Young and engaging with leaders from today, students were able to see what leadership looks like in action and imagine how they might carry that forward in their own lives.”

Throughout the day, students explored the life and legacy of Brigadier General Charles Young, connected with leaders from a wide range of professional fields, built relationships with peers from across the region, and heard directly from student-leaders who helped bring the event to a close. Students also participated in two breakout sessions led by special guest speakers from around the country, along with Indian Hill students and staff, offering a diverse set of perspectives and interactive learning opportunities.

“This summit exemplified what is possible when we invest in our students as leaders and bring our community together around a shared purpose,” said Indian Hill Interim Superintendent Dr. Melissa Stewart. “The level of engagement, curiosity, and leadership demonstrated by these students was inspiring, and we are grateful to everyone who helped make this experience possible.”

More than 115 high school students from 12 school districts across Southwest Ohio joined together at Indian Hill School District for a day dedicated to leadership, learning, and connection as part of the first-ever Brigadier General Charles Young Student Leadership Summit on Friday, February 6, 2026. Photos provided.