Young Leaders Society

United Way Young Leaders Society (YLS) is a group of passionate young professionals (age 35 and under) who come together to educate, engage and inspire students across Greater Stark County. We harness our time and talents through mentorship, fundraising and volunteerism to activate education initiatives and build a better community. 
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Join today with a $250 donation

Donations will be used directly to support YLS activities such as Hoodies for the Holidays and Textbook Scholarship.

Questions about YLS or membership? Contact Brett Pinson or Madison Connor.   

If you have already given through a workplace and are interested in joining YLS, please contact Alex Ickes via email or call 330-491-9969.  

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2025 YLS scholarship application is open

College textbooks are a necessary, but costly, expense that is not typically covered by academic scholarships. Young Leaders Society (YLS) helps ease that burden for high school students through its textbook scholarship fund. This scholarship is a $1,000 award, renewable for up to four years, created to offset the expense of books needed to further a student’s education after high school. 

Each of these criteria is a requirement, along with other factors as may be determined by the United Way Young Leaders Society Steering Committee. Students from underrepresented populations are encouraged to apply.

Please email Madison Connor ([email protected]) or Brett Pinson ([email protected]) with any questions regarding the application process.

The 2025 scholarship application deadline is March 31, 2025. 

Learn More

Click to learn more about the requirements for applying to this scholarship.

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    Apply here for the YLS Book Scholarship


      * Are you a Greater Stark County High School senior?

      * Are you a first-generation college student? Defined as a student pursuing a 2-year associate’s degree or four-year college or university degree whose parent(s) or guardian(s) did not complete a 2-year associate’s degree or four-year college or university degree.

      Excellent, you are eligible!

      Please continue the application process by completing the remaining questions.

      * represent required information

      Personal statement

      Personal information

      * What is the highest level of education your parent(s) or guardian(s) have completed?

      Please select level of education

      * What degree and textbook scholarship are you pursuing?

      Academic information

      Extra-curricular activities in high school (music, clubs, sports, etc.)

      List up to 5

      Grades Participated
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      Activities out of school (community service, scouting, faith-based etc.)

      List up to 5

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      Work experience

      Personal (non-family) reference

      Certification statement

      I affirm that the information that I have provided on this application form and any additional material that I submit is complete, accurate and true to the best of my knowledge. I authorize each high school that I have attended to release academic and personal information, as related to this scholarship application. Any application containing false or misleading information or documentation can result in revocation of the scholarship.

      One letter of recommendation from a personal (non-family) reference and a copy of your transcript is required to complete the application process. If you do not have these at this time, please email them to Madison Connor - [email protected] and or Brett Pinson - [email protected] after you submit the online application. They will need to be submitted by the published deadline.