FC Chamber welcomes Junior Leader applications

For the past 17 years Franklin County Junior Leaders have made a positive impact in Franklin County, and applications are now open for next year’s group of Junior Leaders.

The application is available to all upcoming juniors in Franklin County Schools and Russellville City Schools. The Franklin County Chamber of Commerce will interview students and select 50 students or fewer to participate.

“Junior Leaders make an impact in our community economically because of the numerous volunteer hours served,” said Franklin County Chamber of Commerce executive director Cassie Medley. “They also impact our community by growing as young adults with the knowledge and drive to give back during high school, college and throughout their careers.”

Over the course of 10 months, Junior Leaders will go through orientation, team building day, skills day and career day, attend a leadership conference, visit legislators and tour Montgomery, along with serving at various functions and festivals throughout the county.

Medley said each year Junior Leaders are required to write an essay to graduate from the program, and reading these essays has given Medley an insight into how beneficial the program is.

“They grow and mature by becoming more self-disciplined, dependable, responsible and aware of how their serving impacts our county,” Medley said.

Russellville student Roxanna Velez-Serna said having the chance to job shadow at Russellville Animal Clinic through the Junior Leaders program gave her an appreciation for a career in veterinary medicine.

“I have known for a while that I wanted to become a vet, so I was excited for the chance to job shadow,” Velez-Serna said.

Medley said the student who are chosen as Junior Leaders also learn more about Franklin County and receive a deeper understanding for the type of impact they can have on the community.

To receive an application, contact 256-332-1760 or email info@franklincountychamber.org. Because of COVID-19, applications can be mailed, faxed or emailed. The deadline to turn in the application is May 14 at 4 p.m.