Youth Leaders at Graduation Reception Ninth-grade students from three Marion County schools marked the conclusion of their year on the South Shore-Marion County Youth Leadership Team. Front row (from left): Katie, Crystal, Rachelle, Elizabeth, and Katherine. Middle row (from left): Jay, Alex, Tyler, Steven, Zack, and Casey. Back row (from left): Josiah, Eric, Karen, Chelsea, Brandy, Käry, Savannah, and Steffie. (Not pictured: Thane.)

Leaders of the future in Marion County were honored here recently. The occasion was a graduation reception for ninth-grade students completing a year-long youth leadership program. As the 2004 South Shore-Marion County Youth Leadership Team, students from three Marion County schools came together each month during the school year for activities designed to help develop leadership traits.

First organized by the Marion County Cooperative Extension Service and Entergy in Marion County four years ago, the effort is sponsored annually by South Shore Foundation, the charitable foundation of the Northern Arkansas Telephone Co.

"Through Youth Leadership Team activities, students build their self-confidence as they learn to serve their schools and communities," said Program Co-Chairs Renee Myers and Steve Hobbs.

Topics of the activities during the year are communication, teamwork, personality survey, career awareness, technology, tourism, and civic responsibility. The group also travels to the State Capitol for a tour and meeting with state leaders.

Because students who were in the first leadership team graduated from high school this year, scholarships were awarded to one former team member at each school. Receiving $250 scholarships were: Wendie Chourdary, Flippin, Jonah "Jo Jo" Rinker, Yellville-Summit, and Valerie Settlemoir Trammell, Bruno-Pyatt. Mrs. Myers said these students, and others who applied for the scholarships, had indeed held leadership positions in high school and all had specific plans for furthering their education.

"I feel these students are better prepared for the future as a direct result of participating in the South Shore-Marion County Youth Leadership Team," said Mrs. Myers.

Adult leaders of Marion County work with the students as advisors, and local schools and businesses assist as sponsors. Additional support for the youth leadership team this year was given by Hudson Foods, Ranger Boats, Save-A-Lot Foods, NATCO, and Brooks-Jeffrey Marketing.

To receive more information about the South Shore-Marion County Youth Leadership Team, contact the Marion County Extension office at (870) 449-6349 or visit the Youth Page of the South Shore Web site at www.southshore.com/youth/index.htm.