Each year members of the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce Junior Leadership Program serve throughout Franklin County, and this year will be no different, as the Chamber of Commerce is opening up applications for the 2021-22 class of Junior Leaders.

The program is open to students in Franklin County entering their junior year of high school who are looking for ways to serve their county and meet new people.

“This program enhances a student’s skills in leadership, professionalism, communication and team building,” said Franklin County Chamber of Commerce Director Cassie Medley. “It’s a great opportunity for students to meet juniors from other schools across the county and interact with various community members.”

The program is a total of 10 months, during which students will participate in various community service projects, such as each festival within the county, along with the Farm-City Banquet, Franklin County Cattlemen’s Banquet, Franklin County Partnership Banquet and at the Bay Tree Council for the Performing Arts dinner shows.

Medley said the 2020-21 Junior Leadership class had a different experience than most because the majority of events were canceled because of the pandemic, but students still managed to find ways to serve.

“The pandemic restrictions and canceled events have not given them the opportunity to serve or to make friends from across the county,” Medley said, “however, this graduating class has stepped up, finding ways to acquire their required service hours by looking outside of scheduled events. 

“They have acquired hours by looking within their schools, neighborhoods and churches for service opportunities.”

The application process for the Junior Leadership Program includes completing forms, acquiring two letters of recommendation – with one coming from someone at the applicant’s school – and participating in an interview.

Medley said typically about 50 students from across the county are accepted into the program. Students will receive notice if they are accepted by mail once all interviews have been conducted.

The final day to turn in applications is May 19, at 4 p.m. Applications can be returned to the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce through mail, email or fax.

For more information, contact Medley at 256-332-1760.