Local Lads to Leaders compete at convention

The Easter holiday is right around the corner, and communities all across Franklin County are planning their celebrations, which include classic staples like the Easter bunny and special church services. One youth group in Franklin County will be spending the day in a slightly different manner, though. The youth from North Highlands church of Christ in Russellville will be competing at the annual Lads to Leaders Convention in Nashville, Tenn.

Brian Hamilton, the deacon who oversees the L2L program, said all of the children participating this year have competed at convention before.

“You can start competing in the convention in the second grade,” Hamilton said.

The L2L program is a Christian leadership program that has more than 20,000 participants across North America. There is an annual convention and year-round events the children participate in. Community service events and youth-led church services are just some of the things the children do year-round that Hamilton said gets sent in to L2L to be scored.

“I think it’s a very good program. It strengthens their faith but also helps them outside of church as well,” Hamilton said.

At convention they will participate in debates, deliver speeches, lead songs and do a puppet theater performance.

“There are so many things they utilize through this program that will help them in college and their careers, like studying, speeches and debates,” Hamilton said.

One event Hamilton said the children love to participate in at convention is the puppet show – an event with which North Highlands has a good track record. Pre-convention, the children participate in Storyline, which is a skit they stage that is videoed and sent in to L2L. The results of Storyline will be announced at the convention.

The Nashville Convention is March 30 through April 1; the group will be leaving March 29.