Junior Chamber Class of 2018 Graduates

“I have strengthened my leadership skills and want to now be more involved in my community.”

Lance Smiley from Bowdon High School was one of 21 students participating in the third class of the Junior Chamber Leadership program, sponsored by the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce. These students, representing seven local high schools, were selected by their high school counselors and principals for having the attributes of a rising leader in their high school and the community.

“I learned that the Chamber facilitates many of the things that happen in the community, and work closely with business to allow Carroll County to really grow,” shared Dylan Mikilitus, Carrollton High School junior.

The Class of 2018 graduated from the eight-month program on April 12 at a special recognition banquet with their parents, and education and business leaders. Donna Lackey, Chamber Senior Vice President,

and Lauren Holverson, Director of The Burson Center, facilitate the sessions which include such topics as Understanding Leadership, Team Building, Managing Conflict, Appreciating Differences, and much

more.

Katelyn Brown from Mount Zion High School was appreciative about what she learned in the sessions. “I really learned how to work with others and be more professional when approaching adults, and to ask more questions,” she said. “I feel these skills have made me more prepared for volunteering and working with teams.”

The local curriculum is certified as part of UGA’s J.W. Fanning Institute’s Youth Leadership in Action program. Carroll Junior Chamber focuses on L=EI2 or “Leadership equals Empower, Influence and Impact.” In addition to interactive classroom sessions, field trips and hearing from local business professionals, the program reinforces concepts concerning community involvement. “We are fortunate to have a number of local leaders volunteer their time to coach the students in a variety of subjects.”

“Students visit Historic Banning Milles for team building exercises and also tour Tanner Medical Center and the Carroll County Courthouse,” Lackey pointed out. “We are very appreciative to West Georgia Technical

College for providing transportation throughout the program.”

Program expenses are enhanced through local grants awarded by the Community Foundation of West Georgia and the Alice Huffard Richards Fund. “We are so blessed to have these resources in our community and the Junior Chamber is most assuredly a stronger program thanks to their funding support,” Lackey said.

Several of the students were especially happy to learn many personal skills, such as business etiquette, financial literacy, resume building and mock job interview skills experienced through Junior Chamber.

The Class of 2018 included: Gracie Folds, Sheyah Boyd and Lance Smiley from Bowdon High School; Audrey Johnson, Dylan Mikilitus, Kaylin Jones from Carrollton High School; Emma Yarbrough, Kaitlyn Brown, Caitlin Grdinich from Central High School; Katelyn Brown, Graym Brown and Sarah Collins from Mount Zion High School; Aubrey Wynn, Christian Pollard, Logan Flinn from Oak Mountain Academy; Daniel Anderson, Grace Eckstein and Emily Hummer from Temple High School; and, Cole Bonner, Aishlyn Skoczylas and Hannah Cannon from Villa Rica High School.