The National AfterSchool Association (NAA), the voice of the afterschool profession and lead organization for the advancement of afterschool professionals and leaders has selected Mavis Shepard and Melissa Pennington as two of NAA’s 2021 Next Generation of Afterschool Leaders.

Mavis Shepard is an Afterschool Site Coordinator with the Addison Northwest School District in Vergennes, Vermont, and Melissa Pennington is the Associate Director of the Sara Holbrook Community Center in Burlington, Vermont.

In selecting its 2021 Next Generation of Afterschool Leaders, the National AfterSchool Association sought to highlight emerging young leaders who are active in the broader afterschool community, demonstrate contributions that have started to influence beyond individual programs to entire organizations and communities, are actively engaged in efforts to elevate the afterschool field, have a proven passion for development of themselves and others, and demonstrate persistence in their work to grow as leaders. Honorees will be profiled in the Spring 2021 issue of NAA’s AfterSchool Today magazine. Upon publication, a digital edition of the magazine may be viewed here.

“The National AfterSchool Association knows that strong afterschool leaders develop the skilled professionals and teams that run strong organizations and quality programs that result in positive youth outcomes,” said Gina Warner, President and CEO of NAA. “These emerging leaders will help shape the next generation of the afterschool field.”

An estimated 10.2 million young people participate in afterschool programs each year and the industry employs an estimated 850,000 professionals and leaders. The National AfterSchool Association is the professional membership association that fosters positive youth outcomes by supporting, developing, and advocating for afterschool professionals and leaders.