Oxford, MS— The Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce recently graduated 10 students from its Junior Leadership Program and recognized a Leadership Award Recipient at a graduation ceremony held on April 2 at the Oxford Conference Center.
Graduating members from Oxford High School were: Mary-Randall Ivy, Isabella Moak, Calton Roberson, and Sophie Semmes.
Those graduating members from Lafayette High School were: Kaitlyn Bishop, Rachael Flowers, Alisha Hickinbottom, Jacob Roberts, and Ashlynd Smith.
Also from the North Delta School, William Rayburn.
The Junior Leadership Program combines group study sessions with a community project that requires the use and development of leadership skills. Students participated in training sessions geared toward promoting team building, goal setting, community awareness, volunteerism, and communication skills.
“We were so very lucky to have such a great group of young adults in this class,” Pam Swain, Vice-President of the Oxford-Lafayette Chamber of Commerce said. “Through the program, they have been able to see some facets of the community they may not normally come in contact with, and we feel they can walk away from the program more enriched about what goes on in the Oxford-Lafayette County area,” Swain added.
At the end of the six-week program, the class chooses a Leadership Award recipient from among their fellow classmates. It awarded to a program participant who has shown great leadership skills throughout the course of this program, as well as excellent community service. Voted the recipient by his peers, this year’s Leadership Award recipient was Jacob Roberts of Lafayette High School.
Roberts is the 17 year old son of Darren and Ann Roberts. Throughout his high school career he has received several awards including the Accelerated Biology Award, Geometry award, and Scholar Athlete. He is a member of several clubs including Mu Alpha Theta, Beta Club, and is a leader of Fellowship of Christian Athletes. His future plans are to apply to military academies or to Vanderbilt to study Criminal Justice.
This year’s class worked on two projects very important community projects. They volunteered with More than a Meal and assisted in the coordination of a regional blood drive with Mississippi Blood Services.
“We are so pleased with the outcome of this year’s class and the contributions they have made to our community through their volunteer time,” said Swain.
Nearly 340 high school sophomores have graduated from the Junior Leadership program since its inception in 1998.
The Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce is the most dynamic business organization in our community where businesses and professionals come together to work to improve the business climate and quality of life for our area. With over 550 members, the Chamber strives to undertake programs and projects which seek a positive business climate conducive to growth of the private enterprise system, raising per capita income and providing strong financial, physical and human resources, for the citizens of Oxford and Lafayette County. These goals are accomplished through a variety of avenues, including networking opportunities, seminars, events, marketing opportunities, referrals, leadership programs, or other resources available exclusively to Chamber members.
For more information on the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce or the Junior Leadership program, call 662-234-4651, or go to www.oxfordms.com.
Photo: Left to right, Lolita Gregory, Junior Leadership program Chair; Jacob Roberts, 2012 Leadership Award Recipient; and Peyton Warrington, Chamber Chairman of the Board.
