On Wednesday, the 29 sixth grade members of the LES Leadership Academy will travel to Jackson, MS as part of their study of leadership in government. They will meet with Governor Haley Barbour, have lunch with area legislators, be introduced in the House and Senate by Representative Steve Holland and Senator Alan Nunnelee and visit the Secretary of State's office.
Leading up to their trip will be a session on Tuesday with Mayor Ed Neelly and Amy Tate, of TVA's Government Relations here in Tupelo, who will talk with the students about local government and their role as community leaders, both now and in the future. One of the Academy's students, Benjamin Davis, has already distinguished himself as a leader in the city with his appointment to the Tupelo Youth Council where he serves as an officer.
Participants in the Leadership Academy have learned about characteristics of leadership, the importance of effective communication and the seven habits of successful people. Future sessions include Team Building, Thinking Outside the Box and the different leadership styles of males/females.
Plans are also underway to take a short field trip to Plymouth Bluff for a ropes course session in team building.
The Academy is made possible by an AEE Large Grant which, in addition to the field trips, has furnished the participants with a reflection journal for extension of their leadership sessions with CDF members.
