Youth Leadership · elementary through high school · Hybrid
Four levels. Forty-eight Sundays. One Distinguished Youth Leader.
Children take a pre-assigned role at every meeting — speaker, evaluator, debate moderator, Leader of the Day — in a group capped at seven. This is leadership through active role-play, not a lecture series.
Attendance matters here. Attendance at 11 of the 12 meetings is important; 10 are mandatory. Every child holds pre-assigned roles each week, so one absence reshuffles the whole meeting — which is why we ask families to sign up only if they can commit fully to the spot.
Who it's for
Especially the quiet ones
Several of DSI's Distinguished Youth Leaders arrived described as “shy and reserved.” With seven children in the room and a role assigned at every meeting, there is no back row to hide in — and no crowd to be lost in either.
The shy child who goes quiet when called on — the ones who arrive “shy and reserved” are exactly who this is built for
The confident child who is ready to lead, debate and compete
Students facing interviews, auditions, Model UN, DECA, FBLA or class presentations
Families who want leadership practised session after session, not talked about once
The educational program
What happens in each level
Starting at Competence is strongly recommended — it establishes the roles and the meeting structure that everything else builds on. Registration straight into Bronze is considered case by case.
Level 1 · YLC12 meetings
Competence
Your child stands up and speaks. Six times, in twelve weeks.
The entry level. Each child takes on pre-assigned roles at every meeting, so speaking stops being a special event and starts being a habit.
5 prepared speeches from the Competence manual, plus DSITalks
At least 4 formal Speech Evaluations — the fastest route to active listening
Leads portions of a meeting as Leader of the Day and recognises a peer with a Shining Moments Ribbon
Calls the meeting to order as Sergeant-at-Arms
Impromptu Speaking and Tongue-Twister sessions at every meeting, for off-the-cuff fluency and clarity
Final Impromptu Speech Contest in class on Day 11
Prerequisite
None — this is where everyone starts
Speech projects
Icebreaker
Tell A Tale
Teach Us How
Speak to Impress
Speak to Inspire
By the end of this level
6+ speeches
4 evaluations
Leader of the Day once
Certificate of Completion — Competence, plus a written evaluation from the Coach
Level 2 · YLB12 meetings
Bronze
They start running the room, and they start debating.
The first advanced level. Participants run meetings far more independently, present with slides, and step into extempore debate.
Presenting effectively with slides and delivering an educational presentation
Extempore Debate and Word of the Day sessions at every meeting
Serves as Wordmaster, Debate Master and Emcee of the speaking session
Moderates a debate and delivers one longer speech (8–10 minutes)
Presents an Outside Speech beyond DSI and submits video proof with an audience
Final Extempore Speech Contest in class on Day 11
Prerequisite
Level 1 — Competence (YLC)
Speech projects
Educate Us
Tell A Funny Story
Stand-up Comedy
Speak in Honor
Speak in Humility
By the end of this level
13+ speeches
8 evaluations
Leader of the Day twice
Certificate of Completion — Advanced Youth Leader Bronze, plus a Coach's evaluation
Level 3 · YLS12 meetings
Silver
Polish. Persuasion. And their first turn as a coach.
Fine-tuning: sharper slide presentations, stronger extempore debating, speaking with impact, networking and making connections.
Moderates two debate sessions and facilitates a group discussion
Serves as Coach's Assistant in a workshop — leadership by teaching
Speaking with impact, getting sharper at impromptu, networking with intent
Either a sixth Outside Speech with video proof, or four weeks as Coach's Assistant
Final Extempore Speech Contest in class on Day 11
Prerequisite
Level 2 — Bronze (YLB)
Speech projects
Facilitate Discussion
Propose a Toast
Friendly Roast
Make A Sale
Choice Impromptu
By the end of this level
19+ speeches
12 evaluations
Leader of the Day 3×
Certificate of Completion — Advanced Youth Leader Silver, plus a Coach's evaluation
Level 4 · YLG12 meetings
Gold
Servant leadership, community service, and a plaque with their name on it.
The final level. Focus shifts to servant leadership, refined debating, and the responsible-citizenship mandates that complete the journey.
The Servant Leadership project requires 5+ verified community-service volunteer hours
Moderates three debate sessions and facilitates discussion
Completes the responsible-citizenship mandates for wholesome leadership
Final Extempore Speech Contest in class on Day 11
Graduates as a DSI Distinguished Youth Leader
Prerequisite
Level 3 — Silver (YLS)
Speech projects
Educate Us or Facilitate Discussion
Change is Good!
Read Aloud
Moral of the Story
Servant Leadership
By the end of this level
25+ speeches
16 evaluations
Leader of the Day 4×
Certificate of Completion — Advanced Youth Leader Gold, a Coach's evaluation, and the Distinguished Youth Leader plaque
Emphasis is on active listening, engaged debating, giving and receiving constructive evaluations, and hosting meetings — not just giving speeches.
Maximum 7 children
Comparable youth programs average 15. At seven, every child speaks at every meeting and is coached by name — there is nowhere to hide, and no one gets lost.
25+ speeches, not 3
Across the four levels each child delivers 25+ prepared speeches, 40+ impromptu and extempore rounds, and 16 formal evaluations. Volume is what turns nerves into instinct.
Leadership by doing, not watching
Children run the meeting. They chair as Leader of the Day, moderate debates, evaluate their peers, call the room to order and recognise someone else's best moment.
Every child takes the stage
DSITalks is the Grand Finale of every level — a live speech show and contest with independent judges, where every participant presents. Not one representative. Everyone.
What we ask of families
The homework, stated plainly
Light, but real. Knowing it up front is the fairest way to decide whether now is the right time.
Assigned as Speaker
Write the speech at home and come ready to present. Rule of thumb: a page and a half of size-8 Arial runs 4–6 minutes; 2½ pages for an advanced presentation. We strongly encourage children to write their own speeches.
Assigned as Leader of the Day — Competence
Arrive early for role pre-work, with a tongue twister to share and six open-ended questions for the Impromptu Session. Creativity welcome: themes, debate format, sales-pitch format.
Assigned as Leader of the Day — Advanced
Come with a Word of the Day slide and an Issue Statement slide with pros and cons, ready to run the Extempore Debate session.
Assigned as Evaluator
No preparation needed at home — just listen closely.
Bring to every meeting
Participant Manual
A pen or pencil
A bottle of water
Completed homework speech projects
Ready when you are
Every level opens with an Orientation, then runs twelve Sundays of 1½–2 hours. Ask us for the next set of dates and current fees — or send the registration form to hold a spot now.
There is one fee per 12-week level. Email Destinationspeechimp@gmail.com and we will send you the current fees for the level you are considering — a deposit holds the spot and is credited to tuition, with the balance due on the day of Orientation.
My child is shy — will this work?
Shy speakers are exactly who this is built for. Several of DSI's Distinguished Youth Leaders arrived described as “shy and reserved” or “very reserved.” With a maximum of seven children in the room and a pre-assigned role at every meeting, confidence is built in small, manageable reps rather than one terrifying leap.
How big are the groups?
Seven children, maximum. Comparable youth leadership programs average around fifteen. The small size is the whole point: every child speaks at every meeting and gets coached individually.
Where do you meet, and is there an online option?
Workshops are hybrid. Attend in person at Mercerville Hall, 2333 Whitehorse Mercerville Road, Suite C, Hamilton Township, NJ 08619, or join live online — whichever suits your family.
When are sessions, and how long are they?
Sessions run on Sundays for 1½–2 hours, twelve times per level. The agenda is packed to the minute with every child assigned a speaking role, so we start on time to end on time — though a meeting can run slightly long depending on speech lengths.
What if we miss a week?
Attendance at 11 of the 12 meetings is important, and 10 are mandatory. Because every child holds pre-assigned roles each week, an absence affects the whole group — so please only sign up if you can commit fully to the spot.
Does my child have to start at Level 1?
Starting at the Competence level is strongly recommended, since it establishes the roles and the meeting structure everything else builds on. Registration directly into Bronze is considered case by case — just ask.
What is DSITalks?
The Grand Finale of every 12-week level: a live speech show and contest where every participant presents in front of family and independent judges. Best Prepared Speaker is awarded there; Best Impromptu Speaker or Extempore Debate MVP is decided by the cohort on Day 11.
Is there homework?
Yes, and it is light but real. When your child is assigned Speaker they write their speech at home — we strongly encourage children to write their own. As Leader of the Day they prepare a tongue twister and six open-ended questions (Competence), or a Word of the Day and a pros-and-cons issue slide (Advanced). As Evaluator, nothing is needed in advance.
What is a Distinguished Youth Leader?
DSI's highest educational award, earned by completing all four levels — Competence, Bronze, Silver and Gold. That means 25+ prepared speeches, 40 impromptu, 16 evaluations, four turns as Leader of the Day, service as a Coach's Assistant, and verified community service. Twelve young people have earned the plaque since 2021.
Is this public speaking or leadership?
Both, deliberately. Children give speeches, but they also chair meetings, moderate debates, facilitate discussions, evaluate peers and recognise others. The Gold level requires five verified volunteer hours of community service — leadership, practised.
Do you run summer or travel workshops?
Yes — travel and summer workshops are available on request. They sit outside the four-level youth ladder, so email Destinationspeechimp@gmail.com and we will tell you what is running.
How do I register?
Download the 2026 Program Booklet (PDF), complete the registration form on the final page, and email the scan to Destinationspeechimp@gmail.com. We will confirm the deposit that holds the spot. One form covers every child in the family.
Still deciding?
Not sure which level your child starts at?
Ask about fit, a specific level, the hybrid option, or whether a spot is still open. Coach Priya replies personally, usually within 1–2 business days.
