By Staff
Worried about the next generation of leaders?
Then you haven't met the Brewton area high school students who just finished a youth leadership class modeled after the chamber of commerce's adult leadership course.
After several months of learning various aspects of the community - from government to education to health care, the students sat down last week to turn what they learned into a community service project.
Their discussion was marked by the usual teasing and inside jokes that pepper any conversation among teenagers, but amid the laughter they had plenty of good ideas for fund-raisers and other volunteer projects.
And their ideas suggest they are paying a lot more attention than we may realize.
Raising money for the humane society, participating in upcoming anti-litter campaigns and even creating another leadership program for middle school students were just a few of the ideas they came up with.
In the end, they decided the best idea would be to volunteer at Southern Normal, which they toured this year and which offers after-school programs for area youth.
The only reason they abandoned a few of their ideas is that so many students were already participating in those projects through church groups or other activities.
These kids are involved - some at an even greater level that some adults in this community, considering how much else they do in their busy lives.
If they are the future of Brewton, I think we're in good shape.
Leadership Brewton's seventh class - the one made up of adults - came up with the idea to sponsor a youth leadership class two years ago. After being delayed the first year by Hurricane Ivan, they were able to get under way this year.
While the delay was most likely disappointing, leadership class members can be proud of the project they created.
So far, it's been a success - and it can only improve.
Kerry Whipple Bean is publisher of The Brewton Standard. She can be reached at 867-4876 or by e-mail at kerry.bean@brewtonstandard.com.