The 17th year of the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce Youth Leadership program kicked off with 23 high school juniors and seniors recently attending a daylong leadership retreat before the start of their academic school year. This year’s retreat included a presentation by Robert Green, Area Director, Ocoee Region – Fellowship of Christian Athletes entitled, “Building Your Dream Team.” Mr. Green encouraged the future leaders in stating, “Don’t do leadership alone.” The students were also involved in activities that focused on getting to know each other, team building, critical thinking, creativity and competition.
The 23 young people continued to learn about each other, team-building skills and other leadership traits as they participated in activities at Johnston Woods led by Adam Reuss, Johnston Woods director from Broad Street United Methodist Church.
The students, selected in an application process, represent Bradley Central, Cleveland, Walker Valley High Schools and Tennessee Christian Preparatory School.
The Youth Leadership program encompasses eight months and gives the students opportunities to learn about the local economy, heritage and tourism, city and county government and services, and health and human services. They also experience a day in Nashville to learn about state government.
The 2018-19 Youth Leadership class will participate in a service project for Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland that will include a challenge for each school to raise funds for the local organization and an investment of “sweat equity” by working on a Habitat house or in the Habitat ReStore.
“This class is already excited about the opportunities to learn about their community and see our local leaders in action,” said Sherry Crye, youth leadership coordinator with the Chamber, said about this year’s class. “We can already see their leadership traits and know they will develop into much stronger leaders as the year continues. The year’s activities will also teach them the importance of how they will contribute as future leaders in our community.”
Members of 2018-19 Youth Leadership class from Bradley Central High School are Gabby Bennett, Brynna Frakes, Hannah Lombard, Courtney Roberts, Shelby Satterfield, Kierstyn Viola, Anna Walker, Jackson Walker, and Morgan Warner. Representing Cleveland High School are Kathleen Alcock, Noah Allen-Darden, Jaelyn Blackwell, Asa Blake, Emma Brannen, Jimmy Collins, T.J. DeLuca, and Jack Duncan. Representing Tennessee Christian Preparatory School is Mason Taylor. Youth leaders from Walker Valley High School are Mikayla Beasley, Hannah Hawkins, John Klepzig, Karmen Sanders, and Lucy Trew.