Joy Ellison was a participant of the original Junior Leadership Scotland program held in 1994.
"The purpose of the program, which is open to any high school sophomore or junior, is to instill leadership qualities in participants by exposing them to many different facets of life in Scotland County," Laurinburg/Scotland County Chamber of Commerce Program Director Matt Kendall said. "Participants for Junior Leadership will meet monthly during school hours to learn about county history, city government, education, industry, and local non-profit agencies. The program will begin with a team-building workshop, and end with a trip to Raleigh to meet with local legislators."
Civic responsibility is emphasized, with students required to complete 20 hours of individual community service as part of the program. The group will also develop a community service project as a team.
"The most exciting addition," Kendall said, "is the opportunity for one participant to attend the Shelton Leadership Challenge for a one week session in Raleigh or Charlotte next summer."
Named after General Hugh Shelton, a Tarboro native who in 1997 became the 14th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Challenge is a six day experience designed to help students expand their knowledge and skills of what it takes to be a leader. Students have the opportunity to participate in team-building activities, service projects, and nightly activities to get to know others participating in the program.
"We believe this brand new addition to the junior leadership program will be a good pairing with what we already have in place," Kendall said. "The two programs should complement each other well."
Scotland County Democratic Party Chairperson Joy Ellison took part in the original Junior Leadership Scotland program in 1994.
"The experience was a good way for us to be exposed to industry in the county, and how all the components work together," she said. "The main thing we learned was that we need to think about how we could come back to Scotland County after college with our talents and make a contribution here."
Applications for the program are available from Sallie Clemmons in the Scotland High School main office or from the Chamber of Commerce office at 606 Atkinson Street in Laurinburg.
"Students with completed applications will be selected on a first come, first serve basis," Kendall said. Applications are also available online at www.laurinburgchamber.com.
To earn more about the Shelton Leadership Challenge, visit www.ncsu.edu/extension/sheltonleadership.
For more information about the Junior Leadership Scotland program, contact the chamber at 276-7420.
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