Chamber helps young men hone skills

By Patti Dozier

May 06, 2008 10:52 pm

— THOMASVILLE — Three young men, participants in Leadership for the Millennium, are destined for leadership.
Will Collins, Bryant Harden and Dean Tennille already considered themselves leaders. The program fine-tuned their abilities.
Collins and Harden were members of the 2007 leadership class, sponsored by the Thomasville-Thomas County Chamber of Commerce. They were senior assistants for the 2008 group, which consisted of high school juniors.
Collins, 18, is a senior at Thomas County Central High School. “It gave me the skills I need to really step up to the plate and be a leader,” he explained.
Collins, who plans to become an emergency-medicine physician, learned to communicate effectively “and speak my mind.”
Harden learned to manage conflicts and present himself in a way he wants to be seen. He thinks the program will help him in his chosen field of law.
Upon finding himself in a room filled with community leaders, Harden made connections.
“If you want to be successful, you’ve got to make connections,” said the 17-year-old Thomasville High School (THS) senior.
Tennille learned to communicate effectively, take charge and manage conflict. Public speaking and community leadership were other areas from which he benefited.
Nothing is accomplished without leaders, said Tennille, 17, a THS junior.
“There will be a time when I’ll need to step up to the plate and take the initiative and become one of our community’s, our nation’s, our world’s leaders,” he explained.
Tennille, who has not decided on a career, said one can lead backstage or in the spotlight.
Collins described himself as a quiet leader until the leadership program made him put himself “out there in front of the pack.”
Judy Connell, chamber youth leadership coordinator, said Leadership for the Millennium is designed for high school juniors interested in learning more about leadership skills, community awareness and volunteerism.
Classes usually contain 25 to 30 students. This year’s class was the eleventh.
Connell said young leadership participants from the program’s early days serve today on the chamber education committee.
Some quiet, shy teens enter the program. Upon completion, they are amazed at the knowledge gained in the class.
The class travels to a Georgia city for two days. Savannah was the destination this year.
The next youth leadership class is in September. Counselors at TCCHS and THS select students for the program.
Teens fill out surveys at the beginning of a class. Survey results might warrant a change in the curriculum.
“They like the experience of giving back to the community. It’s rewarding to them,” Connell explained.

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 220.