Leflore County's Leadership Tomorrow Class of 2003 recently received recognition for creating one of the top 10 leadership programs in Mississippi.
The class's Y.E.L.L project, also known as Young Emerging Leaders of Leflore, was recognized by the Mississippi Economic Development Council during a July 7 luncheon at the Isle of Capri Resort in Biloxi.
Chris Givens, class member, attended the luncheon with class members Tonjanita Johnson and Hugh Warren, as well as Greenwood-Leflore County Chamber of Commerce executive vice president, Beth Henderson.
Givens, president of the chamber's education committee, said Y.E.L.L. was created by the 2003 class as a way to bring a diverse group of high school students in Greenwood together to learn more about their town and each other.
"We felt that Greenwood needs a revitalization in young kids as far as getting together and meeting people that they might not ordinarily come in contact with," Givens said.
He said the project, which included one high school student each from Greenwood High School, Amanda Elzy High School, Pillow Academy and Leflore County High School, was designed to teach the youth more about how the city operates.
"We took them to city and county government functions, showed them the jails, let them meet the mayor and the fire chief and things of that nature," Givens said. "We wanted them to be exposed to it and have some knowledge of how the city works so that they would know where to go for certain problems or questions they might have."
Givens also said the students participated in leadership training and toured Viking and some other businesses in Greenwood.
Henderson said for the project to make the top 10 in Mississippi was very significant.
"We're very proud of them for accomplishing this," Henderson said. "Even if they hadn't made the top 10, it's still a great project and we're very excited about the recognition they received for it."
Other members of the 2003 class are Jon Balthrop, Dr. Montez Carter, Tammie Collins, Danny Cordell, Andy Hackleman, Rhyne Hooks, Kay Hunt, Brian Ricks, Dianne Stewart and Stacy Taylor.
