Sixteen youth representing the four high school campuses in the county just completed the 8 session leadership program with graduation on November 16th. This program covers community assessment, communications, leadership ropes course, personality assessment, etiquette, decision making, project reports and cultural diversity. They also completed a community service project during the program.
Jackie Sloan Whisnant
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, a need to train our youth to be good leaders and donate back to their communities. Dr. Joseph’s family, along with others, donate funds each year and a committee of volunteers conduct the program. Although, Mrs. Joseph and Dr. William Joseph were not able to attend this year they were recognized for continuing the Dream of their husband and father, the late Dr. Ralph Joseph. Other guests and program supporters recognized were Shirley Murphy, Lawrence Health Foundation Executive Director; Jr. Briner, Leadership Lawrence County Alumni Association Chairman; Fran Cavenaugh, Chairman of Board Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce; Kari Shanks, Wal-Mart Store Manager; Larry Sloan; Robert Bosch Tool Corp.; Ag Heritage Farm Credit Services; Carrie Mae Snapp; Jennifer Smith; Katrina Burch, Lawrence County Extension Family and Consumer Science Agent; Josh Longmire, Speaker; and the four school districts in Lawrence County.
Josh Longmire
Tim Taylor, Committee Member, introduced the speaker, Mr. Josh Longmire who is a Midwest Sales Engineer for Camfil Air Pollution Control in Jonesboro and a Craighead County Justice of the Peace. Mr. Longmire, a Graduate of RJYL Class 3, shared the leadership skills he learned as a participant of the RJYL program. He said the program “taught me life skills that helped me develop into a leader”. He stated the True Colors personality assessment “opened my eyes and helped me understand different personalities.” Mr. Longmire felt he benefited the most from the Etiquette Luncheon/Session and said “I didn’t know that at an early age I would be going to dinner and meetings with the Governor, US Senators and even the President. Etiquette is one of the most important skills that I took away from this program. You will use it many times in your future.” He shared that he had faced adversity and that they would too, especially as young leaders, and advised them not to dwell on the past but to focus on the future. He shared a quote from President Ronald Reagan’s speak to the 1981 Graduation Class of Notre Dame.
"We need you. We need your youth. We need your strength. We need your idealism to help us make right that which is wrong. Now, I know that this period of your life, you have been and are critically looking at the mores and customs of the past and questioning their value. Every generation does that. May I suggest, don't discard the time-tested values upon which civilization was built simply because they're old. More important, don't let today's doomcriers and cynics persuade you that the best is past, that from here on it's all downhill. Each generation sees farther than the generation that preceded it because it stands on the shoulders of that generation. You're going to have opportunities beyond anything that we've ever known."
He then said, “This quote holds true to fact that each generation build on the previous. What is your legacy going to be?” Josh shared “3 things you can do to help you reach your goals: 1. Be different: Leaders aren’t afraid to be different! 2. Be an inspiration: Others are watching you! and 3. Don’t ever give up on your goals.” He also advised “whether you fail or succeed give Glory to God; keep in mind your plan is not always his.” Mr. Longmire closed by advising the group “don’t forget your past, don’t be afraid of your future, and don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do what you know in your heart you can.”
Katrina Burch, Committee Member and Law. Co. FCS Agent, compiled a presentation of the class highlights in a power point presentation which were reviewed by committee member John Thomison.
Lila Floyd, Committee Member, shared details of the four community service projects completed by Class 20. 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.
Tim Taylor, Committee Member, with the assistance of Mrs. Shirley Murphy, Lawrence Health Foundation Executive Director, announced that Madeleine Foster from Walnut Ridge High School was chosen as the recipient of the $1,000.00 Lawrence Health Foundation scholarship in honor of Dr. Joseph. The scholarship can be used to attend an Arkansas institute of higher education.
Jacki Whisnant and John Thomison, presented the Graduates their graduation certificates as Tim Taylor called the graduates forward.
Members of Class 20 gave a response by commenting as to how they benefited individually from participating in the program and to thank Dr. Joseph’s family for their continued support for his vision of youth leadership training.
Class of 2014
Walnut Ridge - Dylan Blackwood, Madison Cox, Madeleine Foster and Austin Jared
Hoxie – Sequoia Irvin, James Johnson, Jessica Jordan and Taylor Tennison
Sloan Hendrix – Bailey Bradley, Maegan Brown, Brittany Gosha and Madison Luffman
Hillcrest – Paige Johnson, Caleb Jones, Lidia Lopez and Emily Penn
The Ralph Joseph Youth Leadership Program is made possible through the generous support of the late Dr. Ralph Joseph’s family; Lawrence Health Foundation; Wal-Mart; Mr. Larry Sloan; Robert Bosch Tools Corp.; Ag Heritage Farm Credit Services; 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. James Ratliff, Ms. Carrie Mae Snapp, Mrs. David Smith, Ms. Sandra McGinnis, and Mrs. Kathy Bradley.
To find out more about the Youth Leadership Program contact the County Extension Office at 870-886-3741, or any graduate or committee member.