Youth Leadership Shelby County class of 2025 honored at ceremony
Published 4:42 pm Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Leadership Shelby County hosted a Graduation Dinner and Program on April 24 at the Jefferson State Community College Shelby-Hoover campus for the Youth Leadership class of 2025. (Reporter photos/Alec Etheredge)
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By NOAH WORTHAM | Managing Editor
HOOVER – Young students from across the county, who undertook the initiative to grow in their leadership skills, accepted their certificates solidifying their spot in the graduating Youth Leadership class of 2025.
Leadership Shelby County hosted a Graduation Dinner and Program on April 24 at the Jefferson State Community College Shelby-Hoover campus for the Youth Leadership class of 2025. The ceremony was held in honor of the students’ growth and provided an opportunity for them to demonstrate what they’ve learned while in the program.
“It’s been very beneficial to see how the county runs,” said Brooks Bedsole, a Youth Leadership student from Evangel Classical Christian School. “(There are) a lot of things as an outsider and as a normal person living in Shelby County that you would never realize (are happening)… To be able to see all the different roles that different people play in our county is crucial and very cool to see.”
Youth Leadership Shelby County is a six-month program designed for students entering the 11th grade that seeks to encourage young future leaders by providing them a guiding hand. The program aims to inspire social consciousness and seeks to provide the necessary experiences, goals and opportunities its participants would need to be future leaders.
“I think it’s been really cool to connect with all different kids from schools around the community and be able to meet new people and learn more about careers in the community,” said Evie Scroggins, a Youth Leadership student from Chelsea High School
The Youth Leadership Shelby County class of 2025 kicked off the programming with a two-day retreat in November 2024 that fostered team building and introduced the class to the concepts they would be learning.
“November doesn’t seem like that long ago when we were at opening retreat but what we’ve seen since then are the relationships that were built from the students and from across the county,” said Kendall Williams, executive director of Leadership Shelby County. “I love hearing the stories—and it happens every year—of students that have met and they become… roommates and live together. They become sorority sisters, fraternity brothers and they just have built these really great relationships and this class is no different so far.”
Following the retreat, the class met on the first Tuesday of each month and had opportunities to meet decision makers in the local community and to engage them in open dialogue regarding current issues. Students were exposed to a wide range of topics that face local communities with an emphasis on active, hands-on experience. Several days of specific programming took place over the course of the program with each themed around exploring a different entity or group of organizations in Shelby County.
The following meetings took place over the course of the program:
- Health and Human Services Day
- Justice System Day
- Government Day
- Education Day
“My favorite day was Government Day,” said Charlee Reid, a Youth Leadership student from Helena High School. “I’ve always been really interested in how our government works so to be able to see behind the scenes was so much fun.”
As part of the group’s hands-on programming, the student participated in groups and performed charitable community projects that were helmed by a nonprofit. During the graduation ceremony, each of the groups presented the results of their hard work and shared how the program molded them to be better leaders in their respective communities.
The Youth Leadership Shelby County program is made possible by Leadership Shelby County and its alumni who continue to contribute to and support the development of local youth into future leaders.
“This year, we actually celebrated our 30th year of Leadership Shelby County and through that alumni association, those alums pay dues and that is what directly benefits the youth program,” Williams said. “The students go through the program at no cost.”
During the graduation celebration, Brook Grigsby with the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office addressed the students and shared her memories of participating in the Youth Leadership program.
“We’re friends and you might not even know it,” Grigsby said. “What we have in common is that 25 years ago, I was sitting in your seat as a graduate of Youth Leadership Shelby County… and I remember being excited… and proud. Proud to be a part of something that was different.”
Grigsby shared that as the students move forward, they will be alumni and always be a part of the Youth Leadership program.
“This room is literally full of people who are rooting for your success,” Grigsby said.
During her address, Grigsby left the students with a challenge to pursue as they move on to the next phase of their lives.
“In all that you do moving forward, strive to be the kind of person that people want to fight for when you’re not in the room,” Grigsby said.
The following students graduated as members of the Youth Leadership class of 2025:
Briarwood Christian School
- Drew Mears
- Grayson Shivers
Calera High School
- Chakena Collins
- Hannah Greenwood
Chelsea High School
- Evie Scroggins
- Jenna Wolfe
- Lilly Blevins
- Luke Dollar
- Sadie Adams
Evangel Classical Christian School
- Brooks Bedsole
Helena High School
- Charlee Reid
- Chase Glawson
- Josh Johnson
- Maycie Lewis
Montevallo High School
- Blakelely Baggett
- Kasey Vanderslice
- Kati Simmons
Oak Mountain High School
- Anna Beth Chapman
- Beyonce Ortega Arteaga
- Elise Spears
- Grief Feldman
Pelham High School
- Anna McDonald
- Emma Morgan
- Lucas Kalba
- Ryan Martin
Shelby County High School
- Analise Dansby
- Emily Dixon
- Davis Ruston
- Drew Shelton
Spain Park High School
- Carter Boyd
Thompson High School
- Elyssa Martin
- Holland Button
Vincent High School
- Abby Hayes
- Avigael Caswell
- Jordynne Rose
- Malie Kate Clark
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