By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
CLA class of 2011 completes program
0426 CLA grads
From left to right, front row, are: Kailyn Mikulsky, Caitlyn Fears, Felecia Lunsford, Jessi Kicklighter, Morgane Hargrett and Vanessa Williams; back row: Kameron Dickerson, Bryce Blewett, Kiley Ward, Chanelle Wright, Amelia Edenfield, Colson Lee and Tyler Burress. - photo by Photo provided
Staff Report
Updated: April 25, 2011, 6:28 p.m.

The Effingham YMCA recently awarded 13 Effingham County High School sophomores and juniors with awards of excellence for completing the 2010-11 year of the Christian Leadership Academy. The Christian Leadership Academy is a seven-month program, beginning in September of each year, designed to take 12 rising high school sophomores and juniors from Effingham County public and private schools and train them in the skills of leadership from a Christian perspective.

The purpose of the Christian Leadership Academy is to train today’s students to carry Christian leadership principles into the future world of family, education, church, government, and business.

The members of the 2010-11 class of the Christian Leadership Academy were:  Bryce Blewett, Tyler Burress, Kameron Dickerson, Amelia Edenfield, Caitlyn Fears, Morgane Hargrett, Jessi Kicklighter, Colson Lee, Felecia Lunsford, Kailyn Mikulsky, Kiley Ward, Vanessa Williams and Chanelle Wright.

Once a month, the students met for a meal and heard from different Christian leaders from our community.  At each session the students heard valuable talks on integrity, purpose and character in leadership. The students also gave 20 hours of volunteer service to the YMCA and enjoyed a trip to the State Capitol in January.

“The CLA program has been a great success again this year due to the great outpouring of support from our community,” said Dr. Darren Thomas, Effingham YMCA Board member. “These students have not only heard about Christian ethics, but have seen them first hand in the great leaders that we have here in Effingham County.  We are excited about the future of the program and look forward to working with other YMCA branches in the coastal Georgia area who have expressed interest in beginning the program in their branches.”

Nominations are being taken now for the 2011-12 class that will be announced in August of this year.  Deadline for applications is Aug. 13.  All participants will receive a free YMCA membership for one year (September-August) along with the valuable lessons learned through the program.

For more information about the program or to obtain application forms, contact the Effingham YMCA at 826-2199. Only 12 students will be selected by the Effingham YMCA Board of Directors for this very unique opportunity.