Chamber Kicks Off Annual Youth Junior Leadership Program

Area high school students volunteer, gain new experiences
A select group of sophomores from area high schools have been active this spring volunteering their time with More than a Meal, North Mississippi Regional Center, and assisting in the coordination of a regional blood drive as part of their involvement in the 2014 Junior Leadership class, a program sponsored by the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce.
“The program attempts to identify young leaders in the Oxford and Lafayette County schools, as well as home schooled and local private schools,” said Pam Swain, vice president of the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce and program administrator. “Through the program, efforts are made to motivate them and assist them in sharpening their leadership skills, in the hope that they will exert a strong, positive influence on the future of Oxford and Lafayette County.”
Participants in this year’s class from Lafayette High School include: Dominic Bryant, Ashley Carter, Edi Kent, Lindsey Lott, Drew Mulkey, Meghan Munson and Tate Russell.
Participants from Oxford High School include: Jacob Commer, Cope DuChaine, Mary Morgan Grantham, Nicole Hayward, Aliyah Herod, Shayla Jones, Anna Kate Joyce, Ann Kate Meagher, Zee Nelms, Bruno Pagani, James Vinson and Alex Vinson.
Also, participating this year from Regents School of Oxford is Jake Zani.

The program combines group community leadership sessions with a community project that requires the use and development of leadership skills, Swain said. Students will participate in training sessions geared toward promoting team building, goal setting, community awareness, volunteerism and communication skills.
The Junior Leadership program began the first week of February with the introduction of group volunteer projects. Throughout the course of the program, students will have the opportunity to meet and talk to medical professionals, government leaders, University professionals, criminal justice professionals, art leaders, local business leaders and leadership speakers.
The program will wrap up the second week of April with a graduation dinner for the participants and their parents. At this time, the participants will make oral presentations, putting their leadership skills to good use, Swain said.
Junior Leadership Chair Lolita Gregory, with Mississippi Blood Services, said, “Through these sessions they see the variety of professions and services offered here in Oxford. Going through this course may give them a better understanding of various jobs and help in making future career decisions. We would love to see these students remain in Oxford in the future and want them to see all our community has to offer.”
The program started in 1998 and has successfully graduated nearly 400 participants.
For more information about Junior Leadership or about the Chamber, call 662-234-4651 or visit the website www.oxfordms.com.
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 600 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.