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179th Welcomes Young Leadership Institute

  • Published
  • By TSgt Joe Harwood
  • 179th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MANSFIELD, OHIO --  The 179th Airlift Wing Leadership Council welcomes a Richland County Young Leadership Institute nominee to the wing, OH, Jan. 11, 2015. Sam Richards, sophomore from Crestview High School, sits in on a Wing Leadership meeting and tours different wing sections related to his career interest.

The Richland County Young Leadership Institute program selects two sophomores from each local high school and during the seven month course the students develop leadership skills and participate in community service projects. Young Leaders Institute (YLI) is a leadership and education program designed to complement curricular and extra-curricular studies for the students selected. Selection is based upon the student's demonstrated leadership qualities and their desire to be involved in an exploration of Richland County. The program begins with the opening retreat followed by six monthly day-long sessions related to topics in the community. Bill Sharp, Chamber Educational Foundation Director and Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center Coordinators oversee this program. The following students will be part of this year's class: Clear Fork: Darian Gottfried and Josh Young Crestview: Sydney McLaughlin and Sam Richards Lexington: Hanna Pinkleman and Jared Galat Lucas: Amber Cooper and Chase Stevens Madison: Morgan Thomas and Travis Nedrow Mansfield Christian: Katie Walthour and Ryan Pfeiffer Mansfield Senior: Olta Toska and Drew Randall Ontario: Avneet Bhullar and Jared Watson Plymouth: Janet Arnold and Mitchell Chaffins Shelby: Jessica Stoner and Michael Mayer St. Peter's: Victoria Keller and Trevor Zook.

The 179th Airlift Wing leadership and Col. Gary McCue support and embolden programs like this that strengthen the community and promote leadership skills with the younger generation. These young people may, one day, choose to join the Air National Guard and the effort placed into mentoring high school students increases the capabilities of the Air Force.