Hancock Youth Leadership Academy Kicks off 2018 with New Class of Young Leaders

​For Immediate Release:
Hancock Youth Leadership Academy Kicks off 2018 with New Class of Young Leaders
01/29/2018
 
The Hancock Youth Leadership Academy (HYLA) High School Program kicked off the New Year with a new class of young leaders.  The 2018 HYLA High School Class is comprised of 29 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 24th at the Leo Seal Community Center.  Students participated in “ice-breaker” activities and explored the different characteristics of being a good leader.  Gabe Fertitta, Head Coach at Catholic High, gave an enlightening presentation on what it takes to be successful.
Members of the 2017 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):  Trace Rhodes (St. Stanislaus), Brenna Labyak (Bay High),
 Marguerite Gelpi (OLA), Alex Koons (St. Stanislaus), Blake Comeaux (Hancock), Margaret Spencer White (OLA), Maleah Austin (Hancock), and Ronnie Aleman (St. Stanislaus).
2nd Row:  Shelbe McColley (Bay High), Brianna Mitchell (Hancock), Savannah LaFontaine (Hancock), Harleigh LaFontaine (Hancock), Ahmia Khadaroo (Bay High), Wallis Mortillaro (OLA), Isabelle Gelpi (OLA), Hannah Pitalo (OLA), and Kelanie Tennyson (Hancock).
3rd Row:  Alexander Fuller (St. Stanislaus), Taylor Slade (OLA), Kearsten Shaw (Hancock), Katie Ingram (OLA), Liam McKeon (Bay High), Kennady Hertz (OLA), Luke Davis (Hancock), Charlie Luttrell (Bay High), and Zach Lofton (Bay High).
4th Row:  Collin Ladner (Hancock High), Charlie Whaley (St. Stanislaus), and Nate McCormick (St. Stanislaus).
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