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OPELIKA — Sadie Rainey, a rising senior at Opelika High School, was one of 23 high school students representing 17 Alabama Chambers of Commerce to attend the seventh Huntingdon College Economic and Community Development Scholars Program.
Sadie represented the Opelika Chamber of Commerce.
The three-day, two-night event was hosted by Huntingdon College in partnership with the Huntingdon College Presidential Scholars Program and the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama. The annual program introduces students to the importance of economic and community development across Alabama on a state and local level.
Participants were selected by their local Chamber of Commerce and the Huntingdon College Presidential Scholars Program. During the program, the students had the opportunity to meet and learn about the facets of economic development from Dr. Anthony Leigh, president of Huntingdon College; Paige Hutto, president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama; Jess Skaggs, chief of staff for the president pro tem of the Alabama Senate; Nick Hadley, economic development project manager at the Montgomery Regional Chamber of Commerce; and Bria Rochelle-Stephens, vice president for Strategic Academic Initiatives and director for the Huntingdon College Presidential Scholars Program.
To receive firsthand experience in economic and community development, the students were divided into teams and assigned a city in Alabama to represent. The students were tasked with assuming public office identities and using their knowledge of their hometown to vie for a corporation to make their headquarters in the city. After completing assignments in the project, including creating a town highlight tour, the teams gave their final pitch to Leigh and guests. The winning team was highlighted in a groundbreaking ceremony and ribbon cutting ceremony after the final presentations on Friday.
Leigh shared high praise for the students.
“Each year, this program brings together some of the most promising young leaders from high schools across Alabama, and this year’s cohort is no exception,” Leigh said. “These students are motivated, thoughtful, community-minded and eager to make a positive impact. They represent the very best of their schools and hometowns, and it is clear that their local Chambers of Commerce recognized outstanding potential in each of them. Their creativity, curiosity, leadership and genuine commitment to service set them apart. As ambassadors for their communities and as emerging leaders for our state, these students remind us that Alabama’s future is in capable and inspiring hands.”
“These students are incredible representations of their communities and their Chambers of Commerce,” Rochelle-Stephens said. “The dedication and participation these students have shown during the program give me high hopes for the future of community leadership in Alabama. I am excited to see how they apply the knowledge they learned at Huntingdon, combined with their talent and ambition, [toward] futures in economic development. This program is a true catalyst for opportunity and growth in community advancement across our state.”
For questions on participation in the Economic and Community Development Scholars Program or in the Huntingdon College Presidential Scholars Program, contact Rochelle-Stephens at hc.brochelle@hawks.huntingdon.edu.
