Students in the Trigg County Youth Leadership program were recognized Monday during a graduation ceremony at the Trigg County Convention Center, marking the culmination of months of hands-on learning, community engagement and leadership development.
The Monday afternoon event celebrated a group of Trigg County High School students who completed the yearlong program, a partnership between the Trigg County Chamber of Commerce and the high school.
“Today is a celebration of the end of the Youth Leadership Initiative with partnership between the chamber and Trigg County High School, and it’s an opportunity today to celebrate the students’ hard work,” said Karen Sue Stanfield, director of the Trigg County Chamber of Commerce.
“They have spent the last eight months touring community venues such as industry, tourism, learning more about individual leadership and group leadership,” Stanfield said. “We spent a day at Fort Campbell where they had an opportunity to rappel and to practice their range skills, and it is an opportunity for them to think about where they envision themselves as adults, but apply it to what they’re learning now.”
The program is selective, requiring students to complete applications, provide recommendations and participate in formal interviews.
“There is a committee, and the committee is through volunteers of the chamber, some board members, some volunteers from the community, and we get together,” said Kara Allen, chamber president. “They submit an application, and from that application, they have interviews. So there is an interview process.”
Adrienne Fuller, chamber treasurer, said the process mirrors real-world job preparation.
“So we went one day in August to the school and interviewed them. They already had all their information turned in to us for us to look over ahead of time,” Fuller said. “Then we sat down with them one by one and went through like an actual interview that you would have as an adult with a real job.”
Angelica Garnett, education coordinator for the program, said chamber representatives ultimately select participants.
“So the kids have to fill out an application where they have to get letters of recommendations, and then they have to have their grade point average and all of that kind of stuff, and then they are also interviewed by chamber of commerce representatives, and they are actually the ones that choose what students are going to be in this year’s group,” Garnett said.
Those chosen spend the school year exploring different sectors of the community, from agriculture to industry to military operations.
Alesha Allen, a teacher leader for the program, said exposure to new experiences is key.
“We go out into our community, and the students get to learn and see various aspects of our community that they may not have experienced prior,” Allen said. “One of our first days is our 4-H day, and a lot of students aren’t in 4-H. They’ve never been a part of 4-H, so they get to go and get a small experience of that and various other aspects like Ag Day and things of that nature.”
Students also participate in a military-focused day at Fort Campbell, which organizers and participants alike described as a highlight.
“It’s just different places that they go to and get to learn all the behind the scenes,” Fuller said. “You go out there, and you might think this is one way, but when you’re behind it, it’s totally different.”
For students, the experience provided both practical knowledge and personal growth.
“I’ve actually thought that it’s been pretty an amazing experience,” said Ella Dollison, a Trigg County High School senior. “It’s definitely really new. I’ve never done this before. I really enjoyed going to many different places and learning about a ton of different things.”
“Every trip that I went on was always like brand new, good food, good learning experiences, just always something new to learn there,” Dollison said. “I’m definitely going to be more open minded about things. So whenever I’m going to like college or just future careers, I’ll definitely be way more listening, open, taking in new information and trying to apply it in just real world situations.”
Nathan Simpson said the program pushed students outside their comfort zones.
“It’s been a really fun experience just to be able to go and like go to all these places locally and just learn everything about businesses and how they operate,” Simpson said. “And there’s been challenges for us to do, face our fears.”
“One of my most memorable ones was our first day or our first little trip at 4-H was we did this high rope obstacle course and it was like 50 feet in the air and I hate heights,” he said. “So it was a good way to just go out and experience and face my fears, I guess is a good way to do that.”
Simpson said the lessons learned will carry into future careers.
“I feel like it’s just going to help me be a better leader in the workplace, work environments with peers and just help me be able to just speak with everybody clearly and hold everyone accountable,” he said. “And I feel like it’s definitely a better way for me to take leadership by doing the right thing and showing integrity because that’s really important in the workplace.”
Teacher leader Aaron Stallons said the graduation ceremony represents more than just completion.
“They get a medal and a plaque saying that they have completed every step,” Stallons said. “But essentially it’s that you’ve been able to tour Trigg County.”
“We see a lot of different career pathways that really impact Trigg County specifically,” he said. “And this is just saying, hey, you completed this and you get to represent the leadership class when you walk across the stage here at Trigg County High School.”
The program also builds strong relationships between students and mentors.
“It’s really honestly very rewarding,” Stallons said. “We meet once a month, we do different activities, but it brings a lot of joy to see some kids that are invested in Trigg County.”
Among those recognized during Monday’s ceremony were Reagan Addison, Callie Boggess, Livia Breckel, Grace Carver, Ethan Curling, Maxwell Disney, Ella Dollison, Lexie Eakes, Kady Fuller, Taylin Hancock, Avery Kesty, Michael Mahon, Emma Mitchell, Brody Renfroe, Anna Roeder, Nathan Simpson and Makenna Southwick.
For families, the program’s impact was evident.
“My daughter is McKenna Southwick, and I am so very proud of her,” said David Southwick. “All through school [she] has maintained a straight A average and done dual credit and college courses and youth leadership and all of beta and everything, and she’s my pride and joy.”
Looking ahead, chamber leaders said the program will continue evolving, including plans to connect youth participants with adult leadership initiatives.
“The best leaders are lifetime learners, and we want to encourage and model that from high school on through,” Stanfield said. “We would love the opportunity through the leadership summit to let everyone show us what they’ve learned and also learn some new skills.”
Stanfield said a countywide leadership summit is being planned for 2027, bringing together past participants from both youth and adult programs.
For the Class of 2026, however, Monday’s ceremony marked the end of one chapter — and the beginning of applying those lessons beyond the classroom.
