Students selected, coordinator sought for local leadership program By MATT ARMES Staff Writer
Several area high school students already have a reason to smile about the next school year.
Fourteen sophomores and juniors from the Bowie area were recently selected by the Greater Bowie Chamber of Commerce to participate in the 2008-2009 Youth Leadership Bowie program.
Five students - Paige Diggs, Nailah Henry, Katherine McGinnis, Alexandra Rigby and Eric Woolery - will represent Bowie High School, which had the highest number of students representing one school.
Three students will represent Elizabeth Seton High School - Nia Duke, Emily Davis and Nia Lesesne.
Michael Field and Jack Sabin of DeMatha Catholic High School were chosen to participate in the program.
Anthony Belton of Eleanor Roosevelt High School, Gyasi Gomez of The Academy of the Holy Cross, Erich Welch of Cedar Brook Academy and home-school student Heather Smith round out the list.
Kelly Pierce, executive director of the GBCC, said the program for this past school year went well and is also seeking a new coordinator.
"We're looking for someone, preferably over 21, with a maturity level that allows him or her to deal well with students of this age," she said.
"These are high school kids, and with that position comes a certain amount of responsibility to lead them through different experiences. That's very important."
Pierce said the potential program candidate should be "creative" and "familiar with Bowie."
"We'd like to get more local again," she explained. "I'd like to see someone who has enough knowledge of the community to be more community-oriented."
Pierce went on to say that the expectations for the program would remain the same.
"This is an opportunity for students to learn about businesses and other programs in the community, to develop communication skills and learn how we all interact together in various fields," she said.
"This program can also help increase students' awareness of their community," she said. "Most of us and most of these kids are well off. We need to remember the importance of that."
Interested individuals should submit a resume and cover letter explaining their previous experience working with youth and why they are applying for the position. Mail applications to the Greater Bowie Chamber of Commerce, 6911 Laurel-Bowie Road, Suite 302, Bowie, MD 20715.
Youth Leadership Bowie began in 1998 as a co-venture with the Greater Bowie Chamber of Commerce and the city of Bowie. The program provides students with a glimpse into the complex world of business and government.
The program also shows young people the myriad of potential career opportunities available to them. Leadership opportunities, both experiential and observational, are of paramount importance. Problem-solving skills are developed and refined as participants plan and produce a program that addresses a community need.
