2019 Leadership Class visits the Mississippi Capitol

For Immediate Release:
February 18, 2019
 
The Hancock Youth Leadership Academy (HYLA) High School Program Class of 2019 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 2019 HYLA High School Class is comprised of twenty-four high school juniors from Hancock County who represent all four area schools.  On Sunday, February 10, 2019, the group traveled to the Garaywa Camp and Conference Center in Clinton, Mississippi, where they participated in a ropes course, sponsored by Pet Haven Veterinary Hospital, which focused on team-building and effective leadership through self-awareness and respect for the contributions of others.  The adventure ended with a bonfire 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 included a stop in both the House and Senate Chambers.  Governor Phil Bryant welcomed the students to his office and to their capitol before the students 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 Anthony Lawrence 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:  Hancock Youth Leadership students are pictured with Representatives Timmy Ladner, Patricia Willis, David Baria and Senator Phillip Moran.
First Row:  (Left to Right) Karina Alarcon (Bay High), Allie DuPont (Bay High), Bre Hayes (Bay High), Casey Lee (Hancock), Hannah Davis (Hancock), Sydney Hotard (OLA), and Cameron Benzing (OLA).
2nd Row:  Dianna Dardar (Bay High), Sophia Compretta (OLA), Kaitlyn Mills (Bay High), Brennan Toepfer (Saint Stanislaus), and Tommy Gilbert (Hancock).
3rd Row: Daniela Cruz (OLA), Lindsey Magee (Hancock), Jackson Maillho (Saint Stanislaus), and Chelsea Smith (Hancock).
4th Row:   Allen Chatelain (Hancock), Jobie Smith (Hancock), Joe Lawson (Saint Stanislaus), and Reid Pierce (Bay High)
5th Row: Kyle Capo (Saint Stanislaus), Josh Cothen (Bay High), and Drew West (Saint Stanislaus).
 
Picture #2:  Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann discusses the $25 million dollar suit filed earlier that morning against the federal government claiming the Old River Control Structure in Louisiana has damaged Mississippi lands.