In 1999, the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce began sponsoring the Youth Leadership Carroll County (YLCC) program. Since that time, more than 570 students have graduated from YLCC. The classes are comprised of class members from each Carroll County high school. The program is made up of four sessions, two in the fall and two in the winter.

Youth Leadership recently completed its 2022-2023 sessions. Presentations were designed to cover a wide spectrum of subjects. The day-long YLCC meetings covered such topics as team building, personal finance, county demographics, role of state and county government and local officials, insurance, economic development, participation in group discussions, and more.

Through tours of different sites in Carroll County, the group was exposed to job opportunities available to them. The class visited the following Carroll County venues and businesses: Associated Publishers, Bethel University, Baptist Memorial Hospital-Carroll County, Carroll County Circuit Court, Granges, Haven Steel, Hydro-Gear, Tennessee College of Applied Technology, Webb School, and ZLine Kitchen and Bath.

“Youth Leadership is designed to develop activities that guide students to becoming leaders in their schools and communities. The program strives to acquaint each class member with the resources and opportunities available in Carroll County,” said Brad Hurley, President of the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce.

Members of the 2022-2023 Youth Leadership Carroll County graduating class were Taylor Anthony, Olivia Arnold, Juan Bernal, Grace Bartholomew, Kassidy Brown, Carly Blount, Cassie Blount, Jacob Dickson, Seth Edwards, Lucy Heuring, Tristan Hollowell, Reyna Joyner, Nate Kolwyck, Lauren Laser, Jack Mayfield, Morgan Reynolds, Chloe Rogers, Ashlyn Smith, Keller Smith, Xander Walker, Yajaira Vega, and Joseph Vermillion.

These young people are to be commended for their participation in this program. The Chamber is excited about the future for these 22 outstanding young people.