SPANISH FORT, Ala. (February 25, 2019) – Forty-two local sophomores, juniors & seniors are graduating from the Eastern Shore Chamber’s Youth Leadership Program, an intensive seven-month program designed to develop and expand leadership skills by empowering students through seminars, workshops, hands-on activities, team building, community engagement and introductions to community leaders.

Students received their graduation certificates Monday, February 17, 2020 at the 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center.

Throughout the program, students explore topics including law and government, business smarts, health and human services and the environment. Other activities include retreats and community service hours. 

Students work as teams to develop small group projects that address key issues, they identify in the community which they presented during graduation. Just a few of the project included creating a voters guide for new voters on how the process works and highlight the candidates running for office, creating a community-wide calendar app that includes all public events throughout Baldwin County, and implementing an easy to understand color code system to sort recyclables. 

Students in the program select one individual student who stands out by showcasing the qualities of a leader throughout the program. The 2020 winner of the Spirit of Youth Leadership Award goes to Spanish Fort High School Junior Jack Steudle. He won a $500 scholarship for being recognized with the Spirit of Youth Leadership Award.

The Eastern ShoreChamber of Commerce would like to congratulate the 2020 class for their achievements: