The Children’s Policy Council hosted seven special guests from the Coffee County Youth Leadership Program during its April 24 meeting.
The program, which is sponsored through the Coffee County Extension Office, aims to prepare high school students for active leadership roles and encourages them to work towards improving their homes, schools and communities.
“I think these students are the cream of the crop, but I’m bias,” said Stanley Walker, a former New Brockton High School principal who serves on the CCYLP’s steering committee. “They go through an extremely competitive application process.”
Walker said the program typically consists of 27 students, but this year, CCYLP accepted and graduated 29 students from high schools throughout Coffee County.
Enterprise, New Brockton, Elba, Kinston and Zion Chapel High Schools as well as the Enterprise Preparatory Academy were represented in CCYLP this year.
Students in the program learn to develop their leadership, financial literacy and public speaking skills.
“It’s more than just the average leadership experience,” said Lucas Simpson, a senior at Elba High School. “It’s exposure to things students wouldn’t get a chance to see otherwise.”
During the yearlong program, students participate in six separate sessions, which expose them to various leadership experiences and opportunities.
This year, students traveled to Montgomery for an in-depth look at state government, learned the basics of southern agriculture by visiting local farms and took a tour of Fort Rucker among other activities.
“We learned so many things and developed important networking skills,” said Kelinda Griffin, Elba High School. “The program really prepares you for the future. I would recommend it to any junior or senior.”
Kinston High School senior Katie Lowery said she really enjoyed the diverse experiences she was able to have during her time in CCYLP.
“It’s a great program to be involved in,” she said. “It’s much more than a few days out of class. When I was applying to colleges earlier this month, I made sure CCYLP was on every resume I sent.”
Walker said the program wouldn’t be possible without the tremendous support it receives from the community, parents and school systems.
The program is also assisted through other service organizations such as the Coffee County Extension Office, who houses the program and the Coffee County Family Services Center, which manages CCYLP’s funding.
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