The Weirton Area Chamber of Commerce recently selected 30 local high school students to take part in this year's Youth Leadership Weirton program.

The students, all sophomores from either Brooke, Oak Glen, Weir or Madonna high schools, will take part in the program, which includes five sessions held throughout the year.

The following students comprise the Youth Leadership Weirton Class of 2009-20010:

Weir High School: Taylor Gianangeli, Kelsey Ferguson, Meghan Finton, Angel Lancaster, Katie Padden, Thomas Padden and Kaylee LaPosta.

Oak Glen High School: Jake Westling, Jordan Mellinger, Felisha DosSantos, Rachel Smalley, Philip Mickinac, Arian Cameron, Shane Underwood and Alex Bennett.

Weirton Madonna High School: Sara Lyons, Taylor Brancazio, Libby McFadden, Kristen Tunno, Anthony Clements, Caitlin Hinkle, Daniel Pietranton and Melanie Mazur.

Brooke High School: Alexis Cutshall, Ryan Cipoletti, Carly Schwertferger, Liz Kyanko, Megan Salatino, Natalie Staffileno and Jake Chernik.

The group already has started its year, with the completion of two sessions, including a teamwork exercise at the Challenger Learning Center at Wheeling Jesuit University and the annual simulated society exercise.

Other sessions for the year include Integrity, Passion and Vision.

The program will conclude with a graduation dinner in April.

For more information on Youth Leadership Weirton, contact the Weirton Chamber at (304) 748-7212.