A program currently in its first year at Mathews High School is seeking to create the next generation of leaders, inventors and innovators, thanks to a unique partnership between the school and a local fast-food restaurant.

Twenty-seven students are taking part in the Chick-fil-A Leader Academy at MHS, with business teacher Karen Lloyd serving as the group’s faculty advisor. Mathews is the first school to implement this program on the Middle Peninsula.

Gloucester Chick-fil-A owner John Gordon offered to serve as a sponsor and, when Lloyd heard about it, she jumped at the chance. For this pilot year, Lloyd selected students from her business and marketing classes. Next year, she hopes to open it up to the entire school through an application process. A kickoff meeting was held in September.

A big part of the Chick-fil-A Leader Academy is the series of seven monthly Leader Labs, where speakers come to the school to talk about different aspects of leadership, with s...