The Best in Class Summit brings together high-achieving high school seniors from across Allen County for an exclusive look at the community they may one day help lead.
Designed for students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher who demonstrate leadership potential and are actively engaged in their school, workplace, extracurricular activities, or community, the Summit introduces students to the people, projects, industries, and opportunities shaping the future of Fort Wayne and Allen County.
Throughout the experience, students explore how our community is growing, hear from local leaders and young professionals, and connect with peers from high schools across the county. Most importantly, they have the opportunity to picture what their own future could look like right here at home.
The Best in Class Summit is about more than preparing students for what comes next. It is about helping some of Allen County’s most promising young people recognize that they can build meaningful careers, lives, and futures in a community that wants them here.
Meet students from across Allen County and engage with early-career professionals who can share what it is like to begin building a career and a life in our community.
Explore the growth, industries, projects, and possibilities shaping Fort Wayne and Allen County and learn more about the many paths available after high school.
See yourself in the future of Allen County and discover how your talents, interests, and leadership can be part of what comes next.
The Best in Class Summit brings together outstanding seniors from high schools across Allen County for a shared experience focused on community, leadership, career exploration, and the future of our region.
Participating students are selected by their schools based on academic achievement, leadership potential, and meaningful engagement inside and outside the classroom.
We invite school administrators and staff to identify seniors who demonstrate the potential to become future leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs, and community contributors in Allen County.
Each participating high school is invited to identify students who meet the Best in Class Summit criteria. Contact our team for nomination information and event details.
By nominating students, schools help introduce some of Allen County’s most promising young people to the opportunities, people, and momentum shaping their hometown and encourage them to imagine a future here.
Registration for the Best in Class Summit is coordinated directly through participating high schools. Each school’s designated administrator will nominate and register its selected students. After being selected by their school, students will receive event information and any required participation materials through their school administrator.
Transportation to and from the Summit will be coordinated through participating schools. Students and families should contact their school administrator with questions about selection, registration, transportation, or participation.
The Best in Class Summit brings together high-performing high school seniors from across Allen County for a firsthand look at the community they may one day help lead. Selected students connect with peers and early-career professionals, explore the growth and opportunities shaping Fort Wayne and Allen County, and imagine what their own future could look like right here at home.
The Best in Class Summit is an interactive experience where students will:
Each year, every Allen County high school is invited to nominate up to 12 seniors who demonstrate many of the following qualities:
There is no cost for students to participate in the Best in Class Summit. The experience is provided at no charge thanks to the support of Greater Fort Wayne Inc., event partners, and sponsors.
Students should wear business professional attire. Think of what you would wear to a job interview or another important professional event.
Students should choose something that is professional, comfortable, and allows them to participate fully in the day’s activities.
The Best in Class Summit is a school-day field trip, and participating schools are responsible for coordinating transportation for their students.
Students and families should contact their school administrator with any questions about transportation or event-day logistics.
The Best in Class Summit is a student-focused school field trip, and parents and guardians do not attend the event.
Students will participate alongside classmates, peers from other Allen County high schools, school representatives, and event facilitators throughout the Summit. Participating schools will provide families with any information they need regarding transportation, schedules, permission forms, and other event-day details.
Students do not register themselves for the Best in Class Summit. Participating high schools nominate and register their selected students directly.
If you have questions about whether you have been selected or registered, please contact your school administrator.