Student Application
Ford Dimension and Dream Builders Student Leadership Program
The 2023 Applications are closed. Thank you for your interest in our program, and we look forward to finding our class of 2024!
BHS: Aaron Martinez and Tiffani Alvidrez
Centennial: Jill Geer
East: Sylvia Hernandez
Foothill: Wendy Ward
Frontier: JJ Conley and Spencer Lewis
Garces: Ashley Pavletich
Golden Valley: Valerie Black
Highland: Miguel Ramirez
Independence: Whitney Pascual
Liberty: Brooke Slayton
Mira Monte: Sal Gochez
North: Danielle Farrell and Alison Toy
Ridgeview: Sal Garcia
South: Irene Ramey
Stockdale: Whitney Pearsey
West: Monica Lizarraga
TIMELINE OF EVENTS
December 5th at 7:30pm
Information Night at KHSD Board Room 5801 Sundale Ave
Evening of December 5th
Applications go live on our website
January 13th by 12pm
Applications turned into your school counselor
January 26th-30th
Notification about making it to the interview process
February 1st-March 10th
Interviews at each school site
Mid March
Ice Cream Social third interview
The New board will be announced at the beginning of April!
APPLICATION PROCESS
Typically, approximately 200 students apply for the opportunity to represent the youth of our community on the Ford Dimension-Dream Builder student leadership board. The final selection of 32 achieving students is based on a point system involving the entire pool of candidates, not individual high schools.
Team Projects
Team projects are the focus of our year together. The Ford Dream Builders are split into teams of 8 and are paired with one of our corporate sponsors. With the guidance of amazing adult advisors, each team creates, implements and provides a legacy for a project that will benefit the Bakersfield. In March, the team present their projects to the community at our annual Dream Builders Awards Night.
HISTORY
In 2003, Ford Dimension Alumni along with the Jim Burke Education Foundation created the Dream Builders leadership program for achieving high school seniors.
This year-long program focuses on civic responsibility, life skills, and leadership development through the creation of significant community service projects. Since its inception Dream Builder student leaders have developed 73 civic projects.
MONDAY MEETINGS
Dream Builder and Ford Dimension students attend bimonthly, Monday night meetings designed to develop leadership, character, communication and career building skills. Socktober (pictured above) is the kick-off meeting for their annual socks drive for the needy.
Community and business leaders are a key part of most meetings. This year guest speakers will include CAPK Chief Program Officer Traco Matthews, educator Dr. Lakesha Ray, FOMOCO Henry Ford III, community hero Blaine Hodges as well as alumni Renee Massey, Katie Werdel, Chad Manning and George Hay.
CORPORATE SPONSORS
Over the past 18 years the corporate-youth teams have developed service projects focusing on identified needs within our community. Jim Burke Education Foundation, making a difference!
Corporate Sponsors for the Class of 2021
Nothing is possible without the ever-present support of our community.
