The ExCEL Program

ExCEL stands for Excellence through Culture, Education and Leadership. It is the Top Teens of America program that shapes how teens grow during their time in TTA. ExCEL rests on three pillars, Culture, Education, and Leadership, with M.O.M.E.N.T.U.M. as its foundation.

The three pillars

Culture. Teens explore heritage, the arts, and history, building pride in who they are and respect for the communities around them.

Education. Teens pursue academic excellence and lifelong learning, with support for the path from high school into college and beyond.

Leadership. Teens practice leading: running meetings, planning service, speaking in public, and taking responsibility for outcomes.

The foundation: M.O.M.E.N.T.U.M.

Beneath the three pillars is M.O.M.E.N.T.U.M., the eight areas every Top Teen is trained in:

• Mission
• Ownership
• Mental Toughness
• Empowerment
• Networking
• Teamwork
• Unity
• Mentoring

Together they give teens the character and skills to carry culture, education, and leadership into everything they do.

ExCEL in Dallas

Dallas Top Teens live out ExCEL through service, learning, and leadership alongside the Ladies of the chapter.

• Culture. Teens have celebrated Top Teens history, including a Top Teens Soiree marking 50 years and honoring former Top Teens, and have shared their talents in music and the performing arts.
• Education. Teens have promoted literacy through book giveaways and by recording themselves reading for second grade students at St. Philip's School and Community Center, and have attended the Healthy Choices Conference at Paul Quinn College.
• Leadership. Teens have taken part in the Vivien Coe Richard National TTA Academy, the Mayor's Teen Summit, the Me and My Mentor program, and the annual joint TLOD and TTA retreat, and Dallas Top Teens have served in national TTA offices.