Dresden, Tenn.–Twenty Weakley County sophomores kicked off their year with team building in October and by the time the First Community Bank Youth Leadership of Weakley County Class of 2020 graduated last week, they had a bond forged by meeting members of local government, learning about economic development, discovering more about education and local community organizations, and surviving a pandemic.
“The eight month leadership program is designed to expose qualified Weakley County youth entering the tenth grade to the various elements of leadership and its impact on a strong and dynamic community,” said Barbara Virgin, the Executive Director of the Weakley County Chamber of Commerce and the coordinator of the program. “We are grateful to our sponsors The First Community Bank of the Heartland , with additional support from The Weakley County Municipal Electric System, Weakley County Schools; The Weakley County Chamber and everyone who generously contributed financial services and dedicated their time this year.”
Students are coded, evaluated and scored by blind selection on criteria such as their GPA, leadership skills, community involvement, references and their written application to become part of the annual class. The program is free and offers ½ school credit upon completion.
The Class of 2020 is composed of Parker Ferrell, Ryeson Greer, Anna Lackey, Jacey McClure, and Paige Mallon of Dresden High School; Kolton Crochet, Tallon Legens, Carrington Lifsey, Gracie Long, and Grace Stafford of Gleason School; Edie Darby, Garrett Garner, Destiny Griffin, Will Harris, and Zane High of Greenfield School; and Brian Hicks, Gloria Hogan, Amy Kang, Sophia Shaw and Natalie Williams of Westview High School.
The March tornado closed the Capitol and meant the group did not get to travel to Nashville for State Government Day. COVID-19 closures kept them from their planned session on agriculture. Yet, in surveys of the group, all agreed that the experience was a positive one.