The annual Wagga's School Leaders program run by Committee 4 Wagga saw 17 students wanting to improve their leadership and network. 

The Riverina Anglican College's Lara Jay, 16, said she hopes to develop confidence so she can pursue a career in project managing. 

"When I leave school I would like to be a project manager, and a project manager needs to be confidence and have those leadership skills, so I hope this program will help me with that," Lara said. 

Mater Dei Catholic College student Issy Cunningham, 17, said she would like to see more events in Wagga to bring the community together. 

"More community involvement through events and activities will bring the whole city together and that will make Wagga closer," she said. 

"I want to be the best version of myself and get more out there and show the confidence I know I have, but I just can't show yet." 

Head teacher of welfare at Kooringal High School said she has noticed a change from past students who have been involved in this program. 

"The ability to just stand up quickly and talk and not have to um and ah has been a real strength," Ros Mattingly said. 

"Confidence through the way they dress and present themselves has also been a real bonus as well." 

Students were given the confidence-boosting task of interviewing the official guests, including state election candidates, Charles Sturt University staff and board members from the Committee 4 Wagga. 

Chair of Committee 4 Wagga Michael Quirk said the program has been running since 2016 to "help promote and facilitate leadership" from youth. 

"Students are planting the seeds now for growth that might happen over the next five years," Mr Quirk said. 

"We're seeing the students grow, they walk in very quiet when they first started and leaving six months later with a good base of networking, public speaking skills and confidence." 

Wagga Christian College student Paul Anderson said the change he would like to see in Wagga is a more "positive attitude" towards community members. 

"I want people to be comfortable with each other and this will happen with being more more friendly towards each other," he said. 

Similarly, Katie Harper from Kooringal High School said she had heard good things about this program and decided to take up the opportunity.

"I want to develop my communication skills and to become a better leader and get a deeper understanding of what makes a good leader," she said. 

"I would love to see a lot more involvement and passion about the city of Wagga."