BUILDING OUR YOUTH FOR THE FUTURE

YOUTH LEADERSHIP WAYNE P

Youth Leadership Wayne group with County Manager Ed Jeff ords and Tax Commissioner Denise Griffi s

his year, members of the WCHS Student Chamber Board comprised the fi rst ever Youth Leadership Wayne cohort. The group, made up of fi fteen juniors and seniors at WCHS, participated in a T variety of activities and trips to help them gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for what happens here in Wayne County daily. Students toured various government and civic buildings and organizations, a ended commissioner’s meetings and school board meetings, and a ended other county and state sponsored events. Through these activities and events, students gained a be er understanding of the county. Simultaneously, they were motivated to become more active members of the community, to work for future success and growth in Wayne County. Members of the WCHS Student Chamber, as the fi rst Youth Leadership Wayne cohort, began 2022 with a tour of local government buildings and properties. Students were educated on the happenings of the city and county and were given the opportunity to tour government buildings and discuss local policies with community leaders. Mr. Nick Ellis led the day. He escorted students on their visit to City Hall, the Jesup Police Station, the Wayne County

Story by NICOLE WINGATE / Photos provided by YOUTH LEADERSHIP WAYNE

First Youth Leadership Wayne Group Learning About How the Community Works

“We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt

Tax Commissioner's Offi ce, the Water Treatment Plant, the Wayne County Courthouse, and the Wayne County Emergency Management Center. Students were able to ask local offi cials questions about the management and upkeep of the city and county, all while learning a li le more of what goes on “behind the scenes.”

Juniors and seniors on the Student Chamber Board explored local education and healthcare systems in the county during the month of February. Students were able to visit Coastal Pines Technical College, where they toured the facilities and were given an inside look into what life looks like at the college. Professors and management personnel educated students on the opportunities available through Coastal Pines right here at home and gave students the ability to see fi rsthand what these college classes have to off er. With education in mind, students were also able to participate in a roundtable discussion of our local public school system, led by Assistant Superintendent Amy Denty. Students learned more about the function of the

P

Youth Leadership Wayne group with City Manager Rose Marcus

local school board, while having the opportunity to share their opinions and experiences with issues pertinent to the school system today. Finally, students toured the new J.C. Lewis Cancer and Research Pavilion at Wayne Memorial Hospital. Students were given a fi rsthand look at the new state of the art facility, as well as an in-depth look at the hospital, including what is required for it to operate and serve people in Wayne and surrounding counties.

Next, students took a walk “down memory lane,” with the assistance of Mrs. Janet Royal and Mr. John Benner. Students visited various landmarks around the county, including Williamsburg Landing and the Lindsay Thomas house in Screven. Students learned more about the history of Wayne County, when it was fi rst se led and the progress and growth the county has made over the years. Students saw a glimpse of what life was like in Wayne County by former educators and longtime residents, Melba Murphy and James “Boot” Thomas. They learned that to know where you are going, it’s important to understand where you came from.

The students fi nished the year with a day focusing on agriculture in Wayne County. Mr. Mark Frye discussed with students the importance of agriculture in our county, before leading them on tours of several local farms. Students were educated on types of agriculture that are prevalent in Wayne County, and they were able to see onions being harvested, strawberries being tended, and tobacco being planted in the fi elds. Witnessing these processes helped students gain a be er understanding and appreciation of our local farmers and how they help sustain the food supply not only in our county and our state, but in our nation as well. Students had the opportunity to ride horses and tractors and learn about beef ca le and the scientifi c process behind ensuring top quality beef. As a result, students were in awe of the work that goes on behind the scenes and gained a be er appreciation for what happens in the fi elds here in Wayne County.

Ultimately, students gained a be er understanding of everything that goes on here in Wayne County on a daily basis. Students witnessed a glimpse of our government, how it operates and the vital role it plays in day-to-day life for our citizens. They gained a be er understanding of our education system and were able to give feedback as students who are directly impacted by and involved in our public school system daily. They were able to discover the impact our local hospital has, not only on the sick in our community, but on the commerce of our county. They learned the importance of agriculture, and how it all “starts in the fi elds.” And, most importantly, they learned more about what it means to be from Wayne County, leaving them all with a sense of pride and appreciation for what our county has to off er. |WM

Youth Leadership Wayne group with (left) Chamber Chair Alan Volsky, City Councilwoman Dr. Pamela Shuman, Advisor Nicole Wingate, and (right) Windy Dolan, and Chamber director Deena Benne .

Youth Leadership Wayne Group

Seniors

Graham Stanley Caroline Armstrong Ellie Greene Emily Hughes Anna Watkins

Juniors

Hadleigh Bell Lily Parajon Madelyn Sutton Ally Shanklin Klaire Murray Kayle Arnold Sophie Fender Jaxon Dolan Brad Tillman Benjamin Thomas

Advisors

Windy Dolan, and Nicole Wingate