2024 in review pt. 5: The Emerging Leaders Program

Today’s youth — tomorrow’s leaders — have grown up in a strange world.

Vanishing truth. Shifting paradigms. A disappearing sense of normality. Virtual schooling. Mask and vaccine mandates. The collapse of traditional values.

How is a young person supposed to navigate such a minefield of confusion and deception?

Every year, COS is privileged to welcome young patriots and professionals into our Emerging Leaders Program (ELP). Rather than focus on menial tasks, the COS internship seeks to root the rising generation in timeless truths and the principles of successful leadership.

“This year’s program [2024-2025] is in full swing, with our class of eight stellar interns filling important needs in departments across Convention of States Action, all while diving deep into their studies of Western Civilization," said Kristen Stanciu, who leads the internship alongside Jackson Allen. "So far, our interns have all completed a course on Servant Leadership, equipping them to be humble and effective leaders in every area of life.

“Now, they are wrestling with age-old ideas like justice, duty, prudence, and faith," she continued, "spanning historic texts like the Hebrew Bible and the works of Aristotle and Cicero, all the way to twentieth-century thinkers like C.S. Lewis. Why do we study these things? Because in a world that seeks to make the next generation ‘smart’ or ‘knowledgeable,’ the Emerging Leaders Program seeks to make them wise. That wisdom is what we are cultivating each week with this class of young men and women.”

That is, indeed, the secret to salvaging America’s future. As a former COS intern once wrote, “Americans are in desperate need of wise leaders. Yet, wise leaders need more than a tongue in their mouth. They need nuanced thoughts in their heads.” We must not merely thrust the mantle upon future generations; we must prepare them to lead. Training them to treasure and seek the wisdom of the ages is the all-important first step. 

“The ELP has been life-changing,” expressed social media intern Macy Brookhouser. “I’ve been so blessed to grow this year under the leadership of Kristen and Jackson. Walking through Servant Leadership and learning what my 'transcendent there' is has helped me define my calling and future aspirations. I’ve grown so much through this internship and can’t wait for the next few months!”

Video production intern Rachel Martin agreed, “I think one thing that I'm amazed by is the level of dedication and commitment from the staff. They want to see the interns succeed in their future endeavors by creating a curriculum that focuses on professional development skills. They also want to see us grow as individuals as we study Servant Leadership and Western principles. I am so blessed to be a part of this internship class and I can't wait to see what the rest of the year holds for us!”

Our leaders certainly invest a great deal of energy into mentoring our interns, but the relationship is far from one-sided. In return, our interns not only share their remarkable talents but also inspire us with a refreshing sense of hope. 

The future of America so often appears bleak. But with leaders like Rachel, Macy, and Kristen at the helm, we can trust that our country is in good hands. If ever we're tempted to give up, our interns remind us that their future is well worth fighting for.

They may have grown up in a world fraught with confusion, but if anyone can bring us back to normalcy, it's them.  


To come alongside our young people on their journey into leadership, please consider supporting Convention of States below!