Greater Vidalia Youth Leadership Graduates Tomorrow’s Leaders
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The Greater Vidalia Youth Leadership Class celebrated the end of this year’s program on Monday, March 9, as the participants shared what they learned during the Class’s graduation at Lyons First Baptist Church.
Greater Vidalia Chamber Director of Operations Amber O’Connor, and Greater Vidalia Youth Leadership Class Chairs Janna Park, Andrew O’Neal, and Jordan Robins, oversee the Class. High school juniors and seniors from Montgomery County High School, Robert Toombs Christian Academy, Toombs County High School, Vidalia Heritage Academy, and Vidalia High School are eligible for the program and are selected through a competitive application process.
During the program, the class meets 7 times, during which participants travel to various businesses, government facilities, and farmland throughout the community to learn more about the area where they live. They also learn valuable life skills, such as crafting a resume, completing a job interview, and maintaining etiquette in public settings. Students often build lasting friendships during the class and build connections with several community members.
Participants in this year’s class were Evan Hardeman, Aaralyn Little, Autumn Moore, Mekhia Bell, Madaline Wolfe, Mareli Luna-Munoz, Ella Kate Adams, Jean Peterson, Clark Brannen, Jack Williams, Sarah Ellis Walker, Aubrey Gay, Anna Nalley, Teagan Carney, Brannen Brantley, Ava NeeSmith, Kalli Jo Robertson, Hillaree Hankerson, Kingston Ryals, Laylah Brantley, Lake Wright, Anastyn Blewett, Emily Coleman, Emily Kicklighter, Helen Kate Blount, Nicholas Matthews, Alexander Muzafarov, and Sadie Berry.
Georgia First Bank Marketing Officer Heather Mead presented two $500 scholarships to class participants. These scholarships were selected through an application process, which included a 200-word essay on “What [they] can do to make [their] community better,” and were judged anonymously. These scholarships were issued to Sadie Berry and Evan Hardeman.
Applications are currently open for any upcoming juniors or seniors interested in participating in the 2026-2027 Greater Vidalia Youth Leadership Class. For more information, students should visit their guidance counselors or call (912) 537-4466.
SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS – Sadie Berry and Evan Hardeman were each presented with a $500 scholarship by Georgia First Bank. L to R: Georgia First Bank Marketing Officer Heather Mead, Evan Hardeman, Sadie Berry, Greater Vidalia Chamber Director of Operations Amber O’Connor.
