December 2026 – May 2027
Leaders in the Making
The Buccaneer Commission is passionate about building up and encouraging young leaders in the Coastal Bend Community. That’s why we provide scholarship and development opportunities through the Buc Days Port of Corpus Christi Leadership Program, a six-month program that begins yearly in December and culminates in May during the Buc Days Festival.
How the program works:
From over 200 applications, 40 high school seniors are selected through an application and essay process. These 40 semi-finalists advance to Dale Carnegie Training, followed by an in-person interview.
From the group of 40 semi-finalists, 20 high school seniors are chosen as finalists based on their communication, leadership and presentation skills.
During the program, the participants attend three customized Dale Carnegie Program sessions focused on developing personal relationships and public speaking.
Finalists will participate in industry tours, complete community service projects, and are paired with a mentor in the field they plan to study.
Awards and scholarships:
All scholars that successfully complete the Buc Days Port of Corpus Christi Leadership Program will receive an equal scholarship amount of $4,000. In addition to the $4,000, the male and female scholars with the highest overall scores in program participation, engagement, and project presentation will receive an additional $6,000 scholarship.
Applications for the 2027 Buc Days Port of Corpus Christi Leadership Program open on August 15th, 2026 and close on November 1st, 2026.
