Fourteen Athens Academy students have been selected to participate in the Youth Leadership Athens (YLA) program, including sophomores Jain Bennett, Will Garrard, Cate Kilgore, Mary Ford Massey, Maggie Parker, Whitney Rhodes, Bella Simpson, and Grace Willimon, and juniors Crews Ellis, Land Johnson, Jack Roberts, William Robinius, Henry Scruggs, and Preston Shaver.

In addition, senior Reese Walton is serving on this year’s YLA Leadership Team. Reese is a YLA alum (Class of 2024) and is one of only four alumni high schoolers providing leadership to the group. According to YLA Leadership Team Chair Jenny Jordan, “Reese has been an engaged team member and an asset to our program. We are proud that he is the first Athens Academy student to serve in this role.”

YLA is a premiere leadership program for Athens-area sophomores and juniors. Class members build leadership skills, an understanding of the Athens area, and a connection with others in the community. Students attend monthly meetings and participate in a broad range of activities including volunteering, learning about local businesses, and even spending a day learning all about the operations of local government.

Congratulations to each of these student leaders!