2018 HYLA Leadership Class Visits the Mississippi Capitol

​For Immediate Release:
2018 Leadership Class Visits the Mississippi Capitol
March 1, 2018
 
The Hancock Youth Leadership Academy (HYLA) High School Program Class of 2018 recently embarked on a tour across the state to team-build, learn more about formal leadership and government, and to get a glimpse of higher education in the state.
 
The 2018 HYLA High School Class is comprised of twenty-nine high school juniors from Hancock County who represent all four area schools.  On Sunday, February 25, 2018, the group traveled to the Eagle Ridge Conference Center in Raymond, Mississippi, where they participated in several challenges focused on team-building and effective leadership through self-awareness and respect for the contributions of others The adventure ended with a fire side chat and lodging at the conference center, before the next full day of the trip began.
 
Mississippi College in Clinton was the first stop of the day for the young leaders that included a delicious breakfast and tour of the beautiful campus.  From there, they travelled to Millsaps College in Jackson where the administration welcomed students with a campus tour and provided lunch. 
 
The students then embarked on a full afternoon beginning with a visit to the State Capitol where they were greeted by Secretary of State, Delbert Hosemann. From there, they were taken on a tour of the beautiful capitol which ended with a meeting in the Senate Chambers with Lieutenant Governor Tate Reeves.  Students then met with The Speaker of the House, Phillip Gunn, Representatives David Baria (District 122), Timmy Ladner (District 93), Patricia Willis (District 95) and Senator Phillip Moran (District 46) who explained the legislative process and answered questions regarding the current status of bills in the Mississippi Legislature. 
 
Before rounding out a very full two days of team building, civic education, and engagement with state leadership institutions, students visited the Supreme Court, and met with Honorable Sean Tindell to learn about the inner workings of the state’s judicial system.
 
The Hancock Youth Leadership Academy is the first and only county-wide youth leadership program in Hancock County, and is a program of The Hancock Resource Center.  Moving forward, local community sponsorships are needed.  Please consider sponsoring a session or making a general donation to support the ongoing operation of the Hancock Youth Leadership Academy.  Invest in Hancock County’s future by cultivating its next generation of leaders: visit www.hancockhrc.org or call 228-463-8887 to learn how.
 
 
Picture #1:  Students pose in front of the clock tower at Millsaps College
First Row:  (Left to Right) Brenna Labyak (Bay High), Katie Ingram (OLA), Wallis Mortillaro (OLA), Ahmia Khadaroo (Bay High), Harleigh LaFontaine (Hancock), Savannah LaFontaine (Hancock), Maleah Austin (Hancock), Hannah Pitalo (OLA), Alex Koons (Saint Stanislaus), and Isabelle Gelpi (OLA).
2nd Row:  Liam McKeon (Bay High), Ronnie Aleman (Saint Stanislaus), Kelanie Tennyson (Hancock), Brianna Mitchell (Bay High), Kearsten Shaw (Hancock), Marguerite Gelpi (OLA), Taylor Slade (OLA), Kennady Hertz (OLA), Blake Comeaux (Hancock), Shelbe McColley (Bay High), Margaret Spencer White (OLA), Trace Rhodes (Saint Stanislaus), and Alexander Fuller (Saint Stanislaus).
3rd Row:  Collin Ladner (Hancock), Zach Loftin (Bay High), Charlie Luttrell (Bay High), Charlie Whaley (Saint Stanislaus), Nate McCormick (Saint Stanislaus), and Luke Davis (Hancock).
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For additional information, contact Rhonda Rhodes at 228-463-8887 or rrhodes@hancockhrc.org.