| YOUTH LEADERSHIP CLASS – The group of sophomores across the county have been chosen to represent the Youth Leadership Class of 2011. They are (front, from left) Greenfield High School Rachel Roberts; Dresden High School Abby Marshall; Gleason High School Paige Lowry; Westview High School Brooke Baker; Gleason High School Austin Perry; Westview High School Yvee Garcia; (second row) Dresden High School Magan Davis; Dresden High School Sarah Casey; Westview High School Hailey McGehee; Greenfield High School Callie Croom; Dresden High School Austin Maxey; Westview High School Megan Jones; Dresden High School Taylor McAlpin; Westview High School Audrey Waterfield; Greenfield High School Falcon Belew; (back row) Greenfield High School Tony Robinson; Greenfield High School Hunter Crouse; Gleason High School Tucker Kail; Gleason High School Blake Taylor and Gleason High School Will Freeman. First State Youth Leadership of Weakley County Board of Directors is pleased to announce the Class of 2011. First State Youth Leadership of Weakley County is a county-wide youth leadership training program. The program encourages involvement in the community, improves decision making, promotes leadership roles and creates awareness about the various challenges facing Weakley County. The educational sessions are led by local, regional and state community leaders and professionals.
All class participants attend workshops and field trips over a seven month period and receive high school credit. The program is approved by the State Board of Education and qualifies for the Economic and Community Development Governor’s Three Star Program.
The First State branches in Dresden, Greenfield, Martin and Sharon financially sponsor the program. The Weakley County Board of Education approves the program, assists in bus transportation, staffing and materials. The program is under the direction of the Weakley County Chamber of Commerce. Businesses, community leaders, industries and individuals sponsor meals, special sessions and volunteer their time for a successful program.
The selection of the 20 sophomores that comprise each class is highly competitive. Only five students from each high school in Weakley County are allowed to participate each year.
The First State Youth Leadership Board of Directors individually reviews all qualifying student applications. Entries are reviewed and judged on a blind basis which removes politics, partiality and prejudice and allows qualifying students an equal chance for selection.
Students are scored on good academic standing, good attendance, no disciplinary problems, active involvement in their school and community, leadership, references, organizational skills and potential to utilize what he or she learns.
The Class 2011 chose working at Santa’s Village as their class project. The class project has to positively affect citizens in Weakley County.
The class selected Brooke Baker as class chairman and chose, ‘Strive for excellence, lead the way for success,” as the mission statement.
The Weakley County Chamber of Commerce proudly introduces the 2011 First State Youth Leadership Weakley County class:
• Dresden High School – Taylor McAlpin, Sarah Casey, Austin Maxey, Abby Marshall, Magan Davis.
• Gleason High School – Will Freeman, Tucker Kail, Paige Lowry, Austin Perry, Blake Taylor.
• Greenfield High School – Falcon Belew, Callie Croom, Hunter Crouse, Rachel Roberts, Tony Robinson.
• Westview High School – Brooke Baker, Yvee Garcia, Megan Jones, Hailey McGehee, Audrey Waterfield. WCP 11.30.10 |
