The North Carolina Bar Foundation recently featured the 2025 McIntyre Youth Leadership Challenge in a story celebrating the power of civic engagement and student leadership.
The annual Law Day event, spearheaded by Ward and Smith’s Senior Advisor for Government Relations and Economic Development, Mike McIntyre, brought together four exceptional student finalists from across the state to present speeches on real-world issues facing their communities.
Hosted in partnership with the NCBA Young Lawyers Division, the event gives middle and high school students across the state the opportunity to “demonstrate qualities of good citizenship by analyzing problems in their communities and researching solutions for them.”
In the Foundation’s words, this year’s four finalists “impressed the audience with their passion, research, and presentation skills.” The students addressed a wide range of issues—from fast fashion and environmental sustainability, to public health, teen vaping, and mental health among youth.
One student called out the global consequences of the “fast fashion” industry, urging others to “consider purchasing high quality items for long-term wear, or to look at consignment stores.” Another speaker challenged Cary, North Carolina, to realize its potential as a “blue zone” by encouraging “access to outdoor public spaces, nurturing intergenerational connections, and more availability of healthy foods for everyone.”
Teen vaping was tackled head-on in another finalist’s speech, which cited local reporting and advocated for “legislation that restricts the number of vape stores within a certain area.” And a passionate case for improving youth mental health services included “a campaign to educate the public, increased funding for mental health services,” and a call to “train more individuals to help those experiencing mental health problems.”
Read the full article to meet the students who are shaping the future of civic leadership, and read Mike McIntyre’s thoughts on working with these future leaders.
