Hancock Youth Leadership Academy kicks off 2019 with new class of young leaders

January 22, 2019
For Immediate Release
Hancock Youth Leadership Academy kicks off 2019 with new class of young leaders.

​The Hancock Youth Leadership Academy (HYLA) High School Program kicked off the New Year with a new class of young leaders.  The 2019 HYLA High School Class is comprised of 25 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 10th 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 2018 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.
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Picture 1:  First Row (left to right):  Danae Fowler (Bay High), Bre Hayes (Bay High), Kate Mills (Bay High), Joby Smith (Hancock), Joe Lawson (Saint Stanislaus), Hannah Davis (Hancock), Sydney Hotard (OLA),  and Karina Alarcon (Bay High).
Second Row:  Allie DuPont (Bay High), Dianna Dardar (Bay High), Brennan Toepfer (Saint Stanislaus), Casey Lee (Hancock), Sophia Compretta (OLA), Lindsey Magee (Hancock), Daniela Cruz (OLA), and Cameron Benzing (OLA).
Third Row:  Tommy Gilbert (Hancock), Drew West (Saint Stanislaus), Josh Cothen (Bay High), Reid Pierce (Bay High), Kyle Capo (Saint Stanislaus), Allen Chatelain (Hancock), Chelsea Smith (Hancock), and Jackson Maillho (Saint Stanislaus).
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