Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce recognized the graduating participants of its 13th Annual Teen Leadership Cherokee (TLC) Class. Of the 109 Cherokee County high school sophomores that applied for the program, 20 students were chosen. Applicants were asked to submit a formal application and participated in two rounds of personal interviews with local business leaders.

Over the past three months the TLC Class attended an orientation with their parents, an all-day retreat, and several class sessions planned by local business leaders, all of whom are graduates of the Chambers Adult Leadership Cherokee program. The classes addressed such topics as community involvement, economic and educational responsibility, personal development and team building. The class participated in an ongoing project designed to challenge them with real-life scenarios that would instill invaluable skills and introduce them to tools in the community that could assist them in many circumstances.

Graduates of the 13th Annual Teen Leadership Cherokee Class are Yeseul Heo, Sequoyah; Dixie Rich, Creekview; Donovan Giardina, Sequoyah; Luke Berryhill, River Ridge; Julia Morrow, Cherokee Christian School; Caitlin Franchini, Sequoyah; Samantha Rolka, Creekview; Cherokee Rabjohn, River Ridge; Lucy Groves, Cherokee; Paula Ruiz, Woodstock; Emily Stuchlik, Etowah; Breeara Murphy, Woodstock; Miles Ruff, Cherokee; Joshua Minter, Etowah; Molly Perkins, River Ridge; Nick Duclos, Sequoyah; James Lindsay, Sequoyah; Coleman Pecht, Sequoyah; Katie Carlsen, River Ridge; and Amber Richards, Sequoyah.

The mission of Teen Leadership Cherokee is to develop the knowledge and leadership skills of young people in Cherokee County so they may confidently become our leaders of tomorrow. The Chamber congratulates all of the students and is proud of their dedication and hard work throughout the program.