Over 200 community leaders, students and family members attended the induction of 50 Fayette high school students into AVPRIDE’s 2016-2017 leadership program, Fayette Youth Leaders PRIDE, also known as the FYLP program.
At the induction, held at New Hope Baptist Church’s north campus, students were encouraged to introduce themselves to attending community leaders, which included elected officials, school system administrators, law enforcement, business leaders, faith leaders, healthcare and nonprofit leadership.
As State Judge Jason Thompson commented, “The evening started off as a way to congratulate our future leaders on their induction into the FYLP program. But at the end of the evening, I was able to truly engage with these students to bridge a gap on how we can discuss issues that are important to them and their community. As I met with each student, I was humbled with the opportunity to assist them and also amazed at the opportunity they have to shape the future of Fayette County.”
Starr’s Mill senior Jocelyn Gao, one of the FYLP inductees, added “I enjoyed the induction because it opened up the youth to the community leaders. It meant so much to me because despite the fact that our guests are extremely busy, they still made time to come out to the event to talk with us. They really listened to us.”
Fayette Youth Leaders PRIDE is a chosen group of 50 top high school students coming from all five of Fayette County’s public high schools. These students are nominated by their schools, have submitted thorough applications and essay responses, and have been chosen by a committee of community leaders to participate in this leadership development program. According to AVPRIDE, this program does more than just “teach” leadership skills. It nurtures and gives public voice to these students, and allows them to engage with community leaders through discussion, civic engagement, mentoring and two-way feedback.
Debbie Britt, executive director of community and public relations at Piedmont Fayette Hospital and chairman of the Board of the Fayette Chamber of Commerce, served as the event’s keynote speaker. Britt entertained the crowd with her personal story of winning a high jump competition in school – despite her clearly diminutive stature – by utilizing a relatively new technique at the time, the Fosbury Flop. She encouraged the students to have the courage to face their fears, own them, and let them go, and to always try new ways to soar above expectations.
“I sought to inspire this next generation of leaders,” shared Britt, and after reading over the students’ bios and meeting several of them, added, “I quickly realized that I was the one inspired by them. AVPRIDE’s FYLP program is making a difference in our community by developing the skills, passion and leadership qualities of our young adults.”
The students will be challenged this year with monthly 3-hour workshops on such topics as Leadership Styles, Civic Engagement, Financial Literacy, Conflict Resolution, and Leading in Communities with Diverse Goals. They will also participate monthly in civic engagement opportunities developed by local businesses, governments and nonprofit organizations.
The induction ceremony featured the premiere of a video highlighting the aims of the FYLP Program, which can be accessed at this link: https://youtu.be/Xz3nmQslCiM.
Breccia Carter, mother of one of the inductees, values the opportunity for her son, Michael Carter. “I was extremely overwhelmed and proud of the support from AVPRIDE as well as the community leaders. The sincerity and the impartation given on that evening is life changing for my son. It was so good for him to hear confirmation of some things that he has heard at home. I am excited to see what the AVPRIDE program continues to offer.”
More information about AVPRIDE, and its FYLP program, can be found at www.avpride.org or at 770-716-2797.
FYLP Students, 2016-2017:
Bailey Austin, Starr’s Mill High School
Olivia Bailey, Fayette County High School
Alana Barr, Whitewater High School
Joel Boggs, Starr’s Mill High School
Derrick Buie, Jr., Whitewater High School
Michael Burnett, Starr’s Mill High School
Cameron Byars, Starr’s Mill High School
Mackenzie Byars, Starr’s Mill High School
Quentin Byrd, Whitewater High School
Michael Carter, Fayette County High School
Jordan Clark, Sandy Creek High School
Clara Comiskey, McIntosh High School
Catie Connerat, McIntosh High School
Bridgette Davenport, Starr’s Mill High School
Nathan Eason, Sandy Creek High School
Caelan Filmore, Fayette County High School
Jolie Fouts, McIntosh High School
Lauren Fraser, McIntosh High School
Nicholas Fulwider, Sandy Creek High School
Jocelyn Gao, Starr’s Mill High School
Ayana Gillespie, Fayette County High School
Claire Goins, Starr’s Mill High School
Nick Greiff, McIntosh High School
Aaron Hackett, Sandy Creek High School
Molly Hancock, Starr’s Mill High School
Imani Hence, Fayette County High School
Alana Houston, Fayette County High School
Adam James, Sandy Creek High School
Chase Johnson, Whitewater High School
Jacob Just-Buddy, Starr’s Mill High School
Dane Kinamon, McIntosh High School
Jaila Lewis, Sandy Creek High School
Justyn Loper, Whitewater High School
Bradley May, Whitewater High School
Mariah McCastle, Whitewater High School
Rheanna McKenzie, Fayette County High School
Taylor Milligan, Starr’s Mill High School
Galilla Mulugeta, Sandy Creek High School
Cole Neely, Sandy Creek High School
Kelly Padilla, Whitewater High School
Brooke Powell, Sandy Creek High School
Meredith Raines, Sandy Creek High School
Cressie Rynne, McIntosh High School
Morgan Schwantes, Whitewater High School
Malachi Smith, Whitewater High School
Morgan Street, McIntosh High School
Dunnchadn Strnad, Starr’s Mill High School
Duffy Weldon, McIntosh High School
Elena Wernecke, Starr’s Mill High School
Oscar Zayas, McIntosh High School
