Youth Leadership - Opening Retreat 2011
The Oaks Conference Center and Campground
Free Will Baptist Family Ministries




Greene County Youth Leadership
Class of 2012

Greeneville High School: Savannah Campbell, Brandon Chapman,Chandler Christopher, Brittany Cobble, Ashley Duckworth, Nick Evans, Drew Fezell, Kaleigh Forte, Baylie Foulks, Meredith Freshour, Katie Green, Alyssa Hamilton, Haley Helton, Briana Hensley, Jaheen Hira, Jordan Hite, Meredith Hull, Rachel Mawyer, Parker Mitchell, Emily Morrell, Ben Ogle, Candice Rai, Betsy Shaw, Tessa Shupe, Lincoln Taylor, Kayla Thornton, Josh Tillery, Martha Wells, Andrew Whitaker, and Lauren Yakubic

Chuckey-Doak High School:  Melinda Bowman, Rowdy Jones, Gavin Long, and Marshall Nagy

South Greene High School:  Justin Brown, Maci Brown, Kylea Cordwell, Hayley Crum, and Laura Gibson

West Greene High School:  Clarissa Smith, Richard Vradenburgh, and Megan Westmorland

North Greene High School:  Adam Kirk and Breanna Morrow

Greene County Youth Leadership is a personal program designed to motivate high school upperclassmen to develop and enhance the quality of their leadership in addressing pertinent community needs and implementing them into their everyday life and school situations.

The purpose of the Greene County Youth Leadership program is:

·  To identify future and potential leaders in life, school, and the community and to help them prepare for future leadership roles in the community;

·  To provide these future leaders with a practical and comprehensive understanding of major issues and opportunities facing the Greene County area;

·  To improve the communication network among leaders from disparate backgrounds and interests;

·  To create a forum for persons of demonstrated commitment to the community to meet and exchange ideas; and

·  To stimulate increased student leadership participation and commitment in the community.

The Greene County Youth Leadership program begins in August with a day-long retreat and continues through May. Participants are exposed to a variety of viewpoints that illustrate the array of economic, political, educational, and social factors at work in Greene County. They meet with area leaders in business, media, government, education, and service organizations. In addition, participants receive training in leadership effectiveness and human behavior.

The 2011-12 Program Outline is as follows:

All class participants must attend the day-long retreat in order to participate in the Greene County Youth Leadership program, which features team-building exercises and peer-bonding, as well as leadership skills training. The meeting dates for the students are scheduled by all five high school principals and in coordination with the city and county school systems' calendars and include in-service days when possible. All scheduled events in the Greene County Youth Leadership Program are school-sponsored events and are considered excused absences. Students are urged to check with teachers prior to these scheduled meetings for class and homework assignments that may be missed. The Greene County Youth Leadership Program continues to be supported by all the high school principals in Greeneville and Greene County, as well as the directors of schools.

Tuition to the Greene County Youth Leadership Program is $50 per participant and is non-refundable. Included in this fee are all costs, including the opening retreat, Leadership notebook and materials, Leadership shirt, meals, travel, speakers, etc.

Participants must make a commitment to the program. Attendance at the retreat and each monthly session, are prerequisites for graduation certification. Students are allowed to miss one (1) full session or two (2) half-day sessions; students who violate the attendance policy will be dismissed from the program. A student who misses a monthly meeting due to a school event/program will be considered excused. Missing a monthly meeting because of a test at school is not an excused absence.  If you are taking dual enrollment classes at Walters State, you are expected to meet up with the group either before or after your class, depending on your class schedule.  It is not an excused absence to miss the full Youth Leadership day because of a Walters State class.  Students are urged to stay in touch with their teachers/professors in order to schedule a make up session if necessary.  Since the graduates of Greene County Youth Leadership possess a unique understanding and appreciation of the inner workings of our community, they will be excellent future candidates to serve on local boards, committees, and task forces.

Greeneville and Greene County are directly tied to the quality of their leadership. Greene County Youth Leadership is an affiliate program of the Greene County Partnership. The mission of Greene County Youth Leadership is to identify and prepare the community's future leadership about its resources. Greene County Youth Leadership will provide a network of future and emerging leaders who possess the skills and the commitment to continue the success of the community.

At the 2011 Graduation & Recognition Ceremony, Makayla Neas, a senior at Greeneville High School, and Connor Landers a junior at Greeneville High School, were honored with the "Outstanding Character Award" for their displayed ethics, morals and values during the program.  Jackson Scott and Kenan Wilhoit, seniors at South Greene High School were presented with the "Outstanding Leadership Award" for displayed dedication and commitment to the program.

Greene County Youth Community Action Team:
Barbara Lawson, Lawson Training & Marketing - Chairman
Kathy Myers, Foster Grandparents Program - Vice-Chairman
Dr. Linda Stroud, Principal, Greeneville High School
Mike Garland, Principal, Chuckey-Doak High School
Dr. Cindy Bowman, Principal, South Greene High School
Dr. Julia Lamons, Principal, West Greene High School
David McLain, Principal, North Greene High School
Dr. Lyle Ailshie, Greeneville City Schools
Sangela Blue, Department of Human Services
Bridget Brannan Jones, Boys & Girls Club of Greeneville/Greene County
Scott Bullington, Boys & Girls Club of Greeneville/Greene County
Mary Fitzpatrick, Volunteer Center of Greene County
Shane Jones, Wellington Place of Greeneville
Robin Chapman
Shari Oster
Wendy Peay, United Way of Greene County
Jennifer Reynolds, Leadership Director, Greene County Partnership