CONTRIBUTED BY THE OPELIKA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

OPELIKA —

The Opelika Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that applications for this year’s Lee County Young Leaders are now open.

Lee County Young Leaders is a county-wide program that aims to nurture and develop positive leadership qualities in high school juniors by giving them the knowledge, tools and contacts to become successful leaders in the community. 

This program begins in September 2023 and will have one session per month until April 2024. Sessions will cover topics and skills like team building, education, public safety, health amd human service, economic development and government. Participants will also have the opportunity to meet area leaders in business, media, government education and service organizations, all while earning a one-hour Leadership credit to Southern Union State Community College.

Among other criteria, applicants must attend a city or county regionally accredited high school (private or home school) in Lee County and maintain a 3.0 GPA. 

“The Opelika Chamber is proud to lead this joint initiative to help build up a diverse group of thriving students and prepare them for the future,”  said President and CEO of the Opelika Chamber Ali Rauch. “We can’t wait to see what this year’s applicants have to offer. These kids are truly the best and brightest, and we want them to thrive and grow right here in Lee County.” 

Each application will be judged anonymously based on application neatness, extracurricular activities, career choice, hobbies and leadership potential with only 34 high school juniors being selected each year. 

All applicants must submit their applications by Friday, April 14, 2023, to be considered.

The Lee County Young Leaders program is a joint initiative among Lee County businesses, municipalities and chambers of commerce. It is sponsored by the city of Opelika, the city of Smiths Station, Auburn City Schools, Lee County Board of Education and Opelika City Schools.

For more information about the program, visit www.opelikachamber.com/leadership-development/lcyl/. To apply to join the Lee County Young Leaders Program visit www.docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdB0xnoZRkEQdVADMKpjJI26a_7haieAR8p3BA6xqfkevDwjw/viewform.