The 2018-2019 First Port City Bank Youth Leadership class graduated twenty-three exceptional students from Bainbridge High School and Grace Christian Academy on Monday, Feb. 4.

Certificates were awarded to the following students: Will Beckham, Jamya Brinson, Yuji Cotton, Jase Godwin, Larry Guy, Adron Ingle, Dalyah Minor, Sara Oliver, Michelle Perkins, Mackenzie Pickle, Connor Poitevint, Weston Powell, Rosie Rentz, Josh Robinson, Gracie Sellars, Ladarius Smith, Ansley Walker, Journey Austinson, Matthew Carnes, Hallie Jordan, Seth Parker, Gabe Parker, and Brooke Tobin.

Two students received special recognition for their exceptional performance in the program. Larry Guy was honored with the Horizon Award for being a well thought of and respected leader among his peers. Ladarius Smith was awarded the Breakout Award for his tremendous growth as a leader during the program.

The First Port City Bank Youth Leadership Program is a six-month leadership development course focused on equipping students with the foundational knowledge needed to become effective leaders in their classrooms, clubs, sports teams, and looking further down the road, their future jobs. The students attended sessions on servant leadership, communication, and finance.  They also received training on skills such as completing a resume and application as well as how to perform in an interview.

Community awareness and understanding a broader perspective is another aspect the program seeks to teach students through community tours. The class learned of strengths and challenges unique to Bainbridge’s business and social culture through field trips to Bainbridge Public Safety, an Agriculture Tour, a candle-making demonstration at The Refinery, and a seminar of the effects of Hurricane Michael on our local farmers.

The Bainbridge – Decatur County Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with First Port City Bank, seeks to develop well equipped leaders for the future workforce of Bainbridge and Decatur County through this elite program.

Nominations for the 2019-2020 class are now open and will be accepted until Monday, February 25. To nominate a student you feel has great leadership potential, go to the home page at www.bainbridgegachamber.com to fill out an online application.