The SuperSTARS Leadership Academy is a healthy living, career education and leadership development experience for selected New York City high school girls. SuperSTARS Academy participants are selected each June to participate in the Summer Leadership Academy, and continue to meet at least monthly during the school year.

The SuperSTARS Summer Leadership Academy is a daily full-day intensive sports and life skill training program which runs for six weeks from late June to mid August, followed by two week STARWorks min internships for eligible Academy participants.

The Academy is designed to give girls the opportunity to (i) to experience a variety of sports and fitness activities and build the skills to be proficient participants, (ii) to become enthusiastic, about creating a healthy lifestyle, (iii) to have the opportunity to connect with positive female role models, and (iv) to directly apply the life lessons from sports participation - teamwork, leadership, discipline, persistence, practice, communication, etc. - to group projects and workplace internships to reinforce the life skills for success.

The first four weeks encompass a variety of programming designed to develop the participants' sports, fitness and life/workplace skills. In August, the participants are placed in a two week internship with a New York City business or organization (many are sports-related) to learn from female businesswomen who serve as STARWorks hosts/mentors. The Academy concludes with a group project presentation by all participants.

The intensive nature of the program creates a life-changing experience for the girls who attend. "My experience at PowerPlay has been fantastic. Every day we learn something new… My life has been completely changed by this experience, from the way I eat to the way I speak. My life will never be the same again," said Christie R., who participated in the 2005 PowerPlay Summer Leadership Academy as a 17-year-old high school junior, returned as a junior counselor in 2006, and is a STARS Series assistant coach during the school year.

The Academy is offered free of charge to all participants because we want to ensure that the girls who need it most are able to participate. High school girls throughout the city are encouraged to apply. Based on their applications and an interview, applicants are accepted to the Academy. PowerPlay has leveraged many resources to provide a comprehensive sport, education and life skill-building experience for its participants

• Sports/fitness. Two hours of each day is spent engaged in physical activity which includes:
     - Sports skills - basketball, volleyball, softball, lacrosse, soccer, football, crew, tennis, squash
     - Fitness activities - weight training, cardio machines, yoga, martial arts, running, Pilates, etc.


• Life skills. Half of each day is spent developing life/workplace/personal skills for success:
     - Life skills - Time management, goal setting, oral communications, group dynamics, written communications,
       financial literacy, leadership training, resume writing, computer skills, online research, body image, nutrition
     - Workplace skills - "Dress for success", office etiquette, phone skills, filing, office equipment use, project
       participation, interview skills
     - College prep- How to think about applying to college, the college application process and timeline, how to research
       schools/programs/scholarships/financial aid. Group projects - newsletter, multimedia presentation,
       "PowerPlay Talk Show"


• Role Models for Success. The Academy also provides the girls with the opportunities to meet and interact with smart, successful women who serve as role models.
     - Speakers and guest instructors come to the Academy;
     - The girls also go on field trips to businesses and organizations to see women in their work environments.
     - The Academy is the first opportunity for most participants to experience firsthand professional workplaces and to
       meet successful businesswomen and professional women.


• Special Programs
     - Row NY – A Queens-based program that teaches the rudiments of rowing/crew using barges on the water in Queens.
     - Prepare/Impact – A 20 hour specialized personal safety and communications skills training course.
     - New York Sharks Football Clinic
• Field Trips
     - Brooklyn Cyclones baseball game or AVP Volleyball game/Coney Island
     - Columbia University College Fair
     - Liberty Basketball /Madison Square Garden corporate offices
     - National Senior Women’s Grass Court Championships – Forest Hills
• STARWorks - Two week internships with female mentors in a variety of businesses and organizations providing the opportunity for Academy participants to:
     - Start envisioning their own future in a very specific, goal-directed manner, and
     - Develop the confidence to pursue their dreams and aspirations.

Click for Leadership Academy Application