Ready for a Challenge?

Recruiters in high schools 'looking for potential leaders'

By Pat Newcomb - Times Staff Writer

Recruiters will be out in local high schools this month to encourage freshmen and sophomores to apply for Challenge Youth Leadership, a program of Leadership Huntsville/Madison County.

"We're looking for potential leaders," said Mary Stewart, who coordinates the Challenge class. "We're targeting rising sophomore and juniors who have done well in their classes and have shown those characteristics for a potential leader."

The target number for this year's class is 120 from private and public schools as well as home-schooled students, Stewart said. Applicants for the program must have at least a 3.0 grade point average. Those selected for the program will participate in a four-day session June 19-22 in which they will study leadership principles, visit local leaders and participate in team-building exercises. The class will then break into groups to perform a one-day community project later in the summer.

The class will hold a graduation ceremony in August.

Stewart said the Challenge program gives students "the skills they need to become leaders for the future and give back to their community. It will influence their skills now and for the future."