The Rooks County Vision Leadership program saw the number of alumni expand by 10 this year with the addition of the 2009 class. On Wednesday, December 16, the class, along with approximately 25 alumni from each of the previous five classes, celebrated the completion of the 2009 program. The event was once again held at Cedar Links Country Club.
Recognized for their participation in this years program were: Nicole Armbrister, Kelly Arnberger, Ashley Bedient, Billie Chesney, Denae Denio-Odle, Lincoln Griffin, Nicole Keas, Shannon Mongeau, Shari Tucker, and Jeff Werner.
One of the highlights of this years class was the inclusion of three high school students. "Including high school students in the leadership training has been a goal of mine for several years, and I couldn't have been more happy with the participation and insight from Nicole, Billie, and Lincoln" said program director Roger Hrabe. "We talk so much about keeping our young people at home, but so often we don't include them in our decision making. If we truly expect them to feel good about staying, or coming home once they leave, we should let them know that their input and their inclusion in what we do is important to us."
A requirement of the program is to complete a class project, and several of the class members talked about the status of their projects this year. Examples of projects included a book program for children ages 1-5, safe Halloween activities, a community water project, a fair parade, community website help, and mentoring for elementary students. In previous years, projects by Vision alumni have included Plainville's Hometown Christmas, county 5th graders to a FHSU basketball game, park projects, reflective rural address signs, and benches outside a school, just to name a few.
If you are interested in participating in the 2010 Vision class, or would just like to know more about leadership activities, contact Economic Development Director Roger Hrabe at 785-425-6881 or e-mail at rooksed@ruraltel.net.
(Class picture identification, L to R, Nicole Armbrister, Denae Denio-Odle, Lincoln Griffin, Nicole Keas, Shannon Mongeau, Shari Tucker, and Jeff Werner. Not pictured are Kelly Arnberger, Ashley Bedient, and Billie Chesney)
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