Leadership Retreat Huge Success

and what they gain through a year of field trips and research is a vital part of Leadership.

The program, supported by the Chamber, local businesses, non-profits and the Hickman County School Board, is free for the students. Students are expected to fully participate, keep up their schoolwork and prepare a group presentation project to present at graduation in May. Students are also expected to volunteer ten hours at a Chamber sponsored event and prepare a press release for local media.

This first weekend involved Melissa Goodman, Extension Agent, leading team building games like crossing an imaginary river of lava using "stepping stones" made out of bandanas and building bridges. A perennial favorite from past years repeated again is the after dark scavenger hunt. Beverly Hopkins, Community Education Coordinator, brought a balloon popping ice breaker and shared a story that tested the students' listening skills. The short three paragraphs came with twenty six questions. No one, not even the leaders, got them all.

Norma Pruitt, Executive Director of Kentucky Great River Region Organization, gave a wonderful session on Hickman County and the Kentucky Great River Region. She explained how the many assets and opportunities we have in the four river counties impact our community and regions growth. She led the students through her website at www.kygrro.org sharing information about tourism, local attractions and the rich history we share. Mrs. Pruitt is passionate about the students’ input as well. She engaged the participants in discussion of what they would like to see happen in Hickman County as far as business possibilities and tourism. The students mentioned the need for a coffee shop, local youth hangout with Wi-Fi, and more restaurant choices. The participants were amazed when Mrs. Pruitt shared the calendar of events of the four river counties due to the abundance of places to visit and things to do. Norma came bearing gifts to help promote our area. Each student received a map, key chain and Great River Road Trails t-shirt.

Kory Naranjo, Local Businessman and County Magistrate, shared a session on his journey of Manufacturing to Wells to Home. He explained to the students that as a Hickman County High School student he did not have intentions of staying in Hickman County. When the twists and turns of life came love, family, good job at Goodyear coming and going, completing a Bachelor’s degree, working in the family business, job offers from big city corporates….he was always chose home. Kory told the students, “There is no place I would rather raise my family and live than right here in Hickman County.” Mr. Naranjo shared his many experiences in leadership through sports, job promotions and serving in local government.

Stephen Goodman, Owner of Allcare Tree Service, shared a talk on challenges facing our country which impact Hickman County. He also shared opportunities for the area including central location and access to transportation routes.

During the second day of the retreat, The Chamber Leadership Committee discussed the content of the student notebooks which lays out the entire project and theme day materials. Mattea Mitchell, Extension Agent, joined Beverly and Melissa with discussion of potential community problems with the class on Saturday morning. They then led a brainstorming session on how each question might be answered. Students were able to discuss the problems and had more information to make a choice on a topic.

Student’s project teams were unveiled and they divided into five teams. They took a walk to choose a topic to research from a list of problems prepared by the Leadership Team. Once the group chose a topic, they raced to claim the one they had chosen. This year, the teams will focus on rural county issues, local foods, tourism, revitalization, and overall community wellness.

The Class will experience their first theme day, Tourism and Cultural Heritage, in mid-September. Other field trips will include agriculture, medical and health, business and commerce, and law and government. Students will also participate in guided project work days to prepare their presentations and individual leadership skills.

Students were informed that this is a learning activity and a competition with cash prizes awarded to the winning team project. They are eager for the challenge. No matter which team gets the most points from competition judges in May 2016, if past is prologue, every student will leave the program with new friends, greater self-confidence and an increased knowledge of the world around them.