Jacki Sloan Whisnant, Co-coordinator for the program, gave the welcome and explained the program is the result of the late Dr. Ralph Joseph identifying a need in the community to train our youth to be good leaders and donate back to their communities. Dr. Joseph's Trust and other supporters donate funds each year and a committee of volunteers conducts the program. Other guests and program supporters recognized were Shirley Murphy, Lawrence Health Foundation Executive Director; Jr. Briner, Leadership Lawrence County Alumni Association Chairman; Wal-Mart #57 (Kari Shanks, Manager); Robert Bosch Tools Corp.; Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce; Kenneth Guthrie; Carrie Mae Snapp; Mrs. Janna Himschoot, WBU Instructor of Business; Katrina Causey, Lawrence County Extension Family and Consumer Science Agent and RJYLP Co-coordinator; and the four school districts in Lawrence County.
Taylor Tennison, RJYLP Class 20 (2014) and Committee Member, introduced the speaker, Jeffrey Cullum. Mr. Cullum is a Graduate of RJYL Class 11 (2005) and a scholarship winner of that class.
Jeffrey began by congratulating Class 24 on their accomplishment and commented “what a great legacy and impact this program has had.” He shared that he earned his B.S. in Accounting from ASU in Dec. 2009 and that began his career with the position of Revenue Agent for the IRS. Jeffrey now works as a Senior Tax Auditor for the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), which is an independent agency responsible for the oversight of the IRS that makes recommendations to improve efficiency and effectives to deter waste, abuse, etc. Jeffrey talked about coming from the “small school of Black Rock” and stated the RJYLP “opened my horizon to opportunities that were available to me and gave the confidence and skills to push myself.” From there, he began discussing the “key points” he took from his participation and stated they ‘served me well in my life” and stated, “It is my hope that Ralph Joseph has inspired you in the same way it has me.”
Referring to his “key points”, Jeffrey discussed how his participation in the RJYLP taught him “networking” and about his own “strengths and weaknesses” and how those things have helped him progress his career. First, he shared that participating the program “was my first real experience dealing with others outside of my close-knit group of friends at school” and “pushed me outside my comfort zone.” He stated that looking back he sees that meeting “many students from throughout the county” was really his “first experience in networking.” Then he stated, “As you all have probably been told, sometimes you have to make your own opportunities in life and networking is a great way to create those opportunities.” Jeffrey continued by sharing that agency he woks for has employees all over the country and stated it is “crucial that I build a professional report with them.” He pointed out that one of those people could be his next supervisor or who could provide him the opportunity to advance his career. Jeffrey advised the class “Don’t make the mistake of burning a bridge in your youth that you can’t cross later as an adult.”
Moving to his next point, he talked about the trip each class makes to the 4-H Center near Little Rock and how that trip taught him about his strengths and weaknesses. He shared that the high elements “ropes course crippled me with fear.” He said, “I pushed myself outside my comfort zone and at least tried it” but “quickly decided it wasn’t for me.” Jeffrey figured out that his “greatest contribution to the team” for that activity “would be as an encourager.” Then, he shared that “the True Colors personality test was also very eye opening to me.” He discussed how different traits within his personality have come to the fore front as he has matured and began his career and that we all “adapt to our surroundings and who we are engaging with (work, friends, etc.).” Jeffrey stated, “Understanding our own personality and traits of other people’s personalities will serve you well in your personal and professional lives.” He talked about how “people work differently and communicate differently” and encouraged the class to practice identifying personality types – first of those close to them and then of stranger they meet. He said, “This skill, gaging how you should interact with a person you just met, is truly invaluable.”
In closing, Jeffrey thanked the program for the experiences it provided him and the opportunity to come speak. To Class 24, he said, “I am proud of you all and I wish you all the best in your futures. I am confident that Ralph Joseph has laid an important foundation for you and that you all will exceed if you take these skills and apply them to your lives.” And with his finally remark, he stated “I am also confident the program will continue to make a positive impact on additional youth of Lawrence County for years to come.”
Katrina Causey, RJYLP Co-coordinator and Law. Co. FCS Agent, compiled a presentation of the class highlights in a power point presentation and Jacki Whisnant made remarks during the presentation describing what was covered in each session, funny incidents, etc.
Diana Shelton, Committee Member, shared details of the four community service projects completed by Class 24. Each project addressed a need identified by the group within their respective schools and/or communities and showed compassion for the difficult situations of others. These projects would not have been completed had these youth not taken a leadership role to see it through. The class members from Hillcrest were chosen by a panel of judges for this year's outstanding project and were presented with certificates by Lila Floyd, Committee Member.
Lawrence County Judge John Thomison, Committee Member, with the assistance of Mrs. Shirley Murphy, Lawrence Health Foundation Executive Director, announced that Gabby Jones from Hillcrest High School was chosen as the recipient of the $1,000.00 scholarship funded by Lawrence Health Foundation and the RJYLP in honor of Dr. Joseph. Also, Nicholas Powell from Hillcrest High School and Hannah Rohrer from Sloan-Hendrix School were each awarded a $500 scholarship from the Ralph Joseph Youth Leadership Program. The scholarships can be used at an Arkansas institute of higher education.
Jacki Whisnant and Taylor Tennison presented the Graduates their graduation certificates as Judge John Thomison called each Graduate forward.
Members of Class 24 gave a response by commenting as to how they benefited individually from participating in the program and thanked Dr. Joseph's family for their continued support for his vision of youth leadership training. Class 24 members include:
Hoxie – Sarah Allen, Cassidy Clayton, Emily Davis, Sarah Riggs
Walnut Ridge – Kailey Blazer, Shyanne Foley, Grady Privett
Sloan Hendrix – Lilly Foley, Natalie King, Hannah Rohrer, Emily Woodard
Hillcrest – Gabby Jones, Abby Orrick, Nicholas Powell, Emily Wright
The Ralph Joseph Youth Leadership Program is made possible through the generous support of the late Dr. Ralph Joseph's Trust and Joseph Family; Lawrence Health Foundation; Wal-Mart #57; Mr. Kenneth Guthrie; Robert Bosch Tools Corp.; Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce; University of Arkansas for Agriculture - Extension, Lawrence County; Lawrence County School Districts; and Leadership Lawrence County Alumni Association; Besides the monetary donations, many individuals donate time and expertise to teach the classes, prepare the notebooks, share meeting space, etc. and we want to thank Rep. Fran Cavanaugh, Ms. Carrie Ms. Sandra McGinnis and Mrs. Lesa Walter.
To find out more about the Youth Leadership Program contact the County Extension Office at 870-886-3741, or any graduate or committee member
