Hancock Youth Leadership Academy kicks off 2020 with new class of young leaders

​For Immediate Release:
Hancock Youth Leadership Academy kicks off 2020 with new class of young leaders
01/16/2020
 
The Hancock Youth Leadership Academy (HYLA) High School Program kicked off the New Year with a new class of young leaders.  The 2020 HYLA High School Class is comprised of 26 eleventh graders from Hancock County who represent all four area high schools (Bay High School, Hancock High School, Our Lady Academy, and St. Stanislaus).  They will participate in a rigorous year long program which is based on building college readiness, appreciation of community assets, and developing leadership potential.
Our first session was held on January 15th at the Leo Seal Community Center.  Students participated in “ice-breaker” activities and explored the different characteristics of being a good leader.  Dr. Gabe Willis, Dean of Students at Southeastern Louisiana University, gave an enlightening presentation on what it takes to be successful. Dr. Willis is originally from Hancock County and graduated from Saint Stanislaus.
Members of the 2019 HYLA High School class joined the new group for lunch to help them learn how to get the most out of the program.
Joy Saucier from Mississippi Power met with the students and conducted a personal profile (DISC) on each student’s individual leadership style.  Students participated in various activities which helped them to learn how to better relate to others in the group.
The Hancock Youth Leadership Academy is the only county-wide youth leadership program in Hancock County and is a program of the Hancock Resource Center.   HYLA is funded by sponsorships and donations from the local community.  If you are interested in supporting the Hancock Youth Leadership Academy, contact Hancock Resource Center by visiting the website www.hancockhrc.org or call 228-463-8887 to learn how.
Picture 1:  First Row (left to right):  Emma Arcement (Hancock High), Grace Koons (OLA), Karime Alonso (Bay High), Lauren-Anne Lagasse (Bay High), Sophia Hebert (Bay High), Gracie Saucier (OLA), and Reagan Fairley (OLA).
Middle Row:  Amyya Tillman (Hancock High), Jodi Everett (Bay High), Nique Cole (Bay High), Bre McDonald (Bay High), Aidan McKeon (Bay High), Audrey DiMento (Bay High), Ella Nolan (Hancock High), Cali Reinhart (OLA), Peyton Lagarde (Hancock), Kayla Broome (OLA), and Nicholas Toepfer (Saint Stanislaus).
Last Row:  Lavon Bullock (Bay High), Lizzie Weems (Bay High), Garrett Lamky (Bay High), Thomas Mortillaro (Saint Stanislaus), Tyler Koenenn (Saint Stanislaus), Virginia Perret (Hancock High), Brandon Merwin (Hancock High), and William Trapani (Saint Stanislaus).
 
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