Thirty high school students representing 29 counties across Georgia have built their leadership skills and knowledge through a statewide youth leadership program run by the University of Georgia.

The students graduated from the inaugural Youth LEAD Georgia class on Nov. 4 at Trilith Studios near Atlanta.

“This was a very insightful program,” said Erin Stanford of Swainsboro. “It made me more confident and helped me understand what I need to do for my community.”

A partnership among UGA’s J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development; Chick-fil-A, Inc.; and The Same House organization, Youth LEAD Georgia is designed to equip youth with the skills and knowledge necessary to be the future leaders of the state.

A generous $1.5 million pledge from Chick-fil-A to the UGA Fanning Institute is providing financial support for Youth LEAD Georgia and an annual youth leadership summit. Thanks to the support from Chick-fil-A, Youth LEAD Georgia is available at no cost to participants.

“Chick-fil-A’s investment in Youth LEAD Georgia represents our continued commitment to developing and empowering the next generation of leaders,” said Brent Fielder, Vice President of Global Impact, Chick-fil-A, Inc. “We congratulate the inaugural graduates of this program and look forward to seeing how the skills and connections they have fostered will help them enact meaningful change in their communities in the years ahead.”

These 30 students began the program in January as 10th and 11th graders. Now 11th and 12th graders, they have attended four weekend retreats held in different communities across the state and a four-day summer bus tour of south Georgia.

“It was great to see some places for the first time and also learn things about communities I had been to that I never knew before,” said Mary Burke Smith of Rome.

At graduation, the program also announced the inaugural class of Bullard Community Champions. This generous gift from Rodney Bullard, CEO of The Same House, to UGA enables Youth LEAD Georgia participants to take on service projects in their local communities, offering them the chance to put their leadership and citizenship skills into action.

“The Same House extends much deserved congratulations to the 2024 Youth LEAD Georgia graduates and to the Fanning Institute for its leadership in developing this program that will pay incredible dividends for the participants and their communities,” said Bullard. “We are looking forward to supporting and working with the graduates as they undertake projects as Bullard Community Champions.”

Bullard, fellow Georgia business leader Fred Hicks and faculty at UGA’s Fanning Institute collaboratively designed the concept of the program. UGA Fanning Institute faculty developed the programming and curriculum and are facilitating Youth LEAD Georgia.

“Through Youth LEAD Georgia, these youth have had a chance to develop the leadership skills, build the connections and gain the understanding to engage in their communities as future leaders,” said Lauren Healey, UGA Fanning Institute senior public service faculty. “We appreciate these young people for their efforts, and we are grateful for the partnership with Chick-fil-A and The Same House.”

Along with the leadership training, the youth participated in experiential learning activities and in-depth dialogue on current issues and challenges facing Georgia. They also had the opportunity to interact with prominent business and community leaders.

The 2024 Youth LEAD Georgia class is:

• Amelia Claire Anderson, Trenton

• Ethan Barlay, Stockbridge

• Samantha Barrera-Morales, Lilburn

• Jake Bennett, Thomson

• Louden Busbee, Macon

• Evan Cornish, Athens

• Gabrielle Culbreath, Atlanta

• Presley Douglas, Metter

• Addie Drinnon, Americus

• Grayson Faircloth, Carrollton

• Elizabeth Ann Hobby, Moultrie

• Claire Jefferson, Byron

• Mason Johnson, Albany

• Hannah Kelly, Hephzibah

• Riley Kennard, Acworth

• Kailyn King, Statesboro

• Lilly Lanier, Newton

• Christina Mack, Stone Mountain

• Jawhon Moye, Atlanta

• Owen Osborne, Newnan

• AAshi Patel, Cordele

• Mary Hollis Pugmire, Madison

• Mary Burke Smith, Rome

• Erin Stanford, Swainsboro

• Grayson Taylor, Douglas

• Carolyn Thomas, Eatonton

• Tierney Walton, Valdosta

• Walker Woolard, Leesburg

• Carrie Wright, Sandersville

• Ethan Yang, Cumming

Meanwhile, the 2025 Youth LEAD Georgia class will be announced later this month and will begin the program in January. Nominations for the 2026 Youth LEAD Georgia class will open in May 2025.

For more information on Youth LEAD Georgia, click here.