The Youth Leadership Program of RTIEL encourages the youth of the 21st century to be effective leaders and stresses the importance of civic engagement and a college education. Currently, RTIEL sponsors an essay contest for high school students and winners of the contest win an all-expense paid trip to Montgomery and Selma, Alabama for a Civil Rights Tour that culminates in participation in the crossing of the Edmund Pettus Bridge commemorating  Bloody Sunday.

In 2011-2012, four students participated in the tour, two students participated in 2012-2013, and four students participated in the tour in 2013-2014.  Four students also participated in the tour in 2014-2015, and winners wrote a letter to Congressman John Lewis in the form of an essay. Access the previous year’s photo galleries by selecting the links below: