Fox Valley briefs

Youth Leadership Academy now accepting applicationsThe Youth Leadership Academy is currently accepting applications for current sixth-graders to begin as Cadets in the fall. If they stick with the Academy activities through high school graduation, they will receive two years of free tuition at Elgin Community College. The Youth Leadership Academy was founded in 1996 with the aim of providing low-income kids with an alternative to gangs and drugs. More than 100 YLA Cadets, middle and high school students from the Elgin Community College District 509, participate in academy activities every other Saturday morning during the academic year. Academy activities focus on increasing leadership skills such as project management, identifying personal values and prioritizing one's energy, computer proficiencies and even field trips to Springfield. In order to begin academy activities in seventh grade, an application must be filled out in the spring of the sixth grade year. Elgin area elementary school principals are encouraged to share the opportunity with their sixth-graders. Applications are also available on the YLA Web site. Deadline is March 19. For details, call (847) 214-6910, or visit www.ylaecc.org or write dortega-ehreth@elgin.edu.County hosts vaccine clinicThe McHenry County Department of Health is hosting a shingles vaccine clinic from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 1:45 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 24. The health department recommends the vaccine for people over 60. The clinic will be at 100 N. Virginia St., Crystal Lake. Appointments are required. The vaccine costs $200. Medicare is also accepted. Call (815) 334-4500.Apply for McHenry Co. committeeThe McHenry County Board of Health is accepting applications for the McHenry County Environmental Health Advisory Committee. The new committee will advise the board of health on environmental health issues in the county. The panel will have nine to 12 members who will each be appointed to a two-year term. Members will not be paid and will probably meet four times a year. Applications are due Friday, April 9. Applications are available at the county department of health, 2200 N. Seminary Ave., Woodstock or at mcdh.info. Call (815) 334-4585.