Leadership Neshoba class underway

Leadership Neshoba class underway

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The 20th season of Leadership Neshoba is underway with 26 high school juniors enrolled in the program that offers them the opportunity to learn more about their community.

“Each group is tasked with planning, designing and implementing a service project,” said Tim Moore, executive director of the Philadelphia-Neshoba County Chamber of Commerce and an adult leader in the program.

Moore said Leadership Neshoba was formed in 2001 and was modeled after other programs in other counties. 

Students must submit an application to be admitted to the program.

“It is a pretty rigorous process,” Moore said. “They have to fill out an application, we look at their grades, and they must have no discipline issues.”

Leadership Neshoba usually has a class size of about 26, including juniors from Philadelphia High School, Neshoba Central and Leake Academy, Moore said. 

Choctaw Central students are welcome to apply, though they do not have any students representing the school in this year’s class, Moore said. 

Each class elects student leadership, and this year’s president is PHS student Tramiah Moore (no relation to Tim Moore).

“It is a major role, and I was elected by my peers,” Tramiah Moore said.

Tramiah Moore said she heard about the program through some seniors who participated in last year’s leadership class. They sold her on the experience by telling her what they gained from it.

“I knew I wanted to be a part of Leadership Neshoba after some seniors at school were telling me about it,” she said. “I hope it makes me a better leader and helps expand my communication skills and helps me become a better person.”

Tramiah Moore said she has enjoyed getting to know students from other schools that she might not have run into in her everyday life.

“I enjoy the program,” she said. “It has introduced to me a diverse group of people, and I love talking to people.”

In addition to putting the students in contact with community leaders and taking them on visits to local businesses and industries, Leadership Neshoba students also attend regular classes facilitated by East Central Community College at the Depot. In addition, the students read books such as “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens” by Sean Covey.

This year’s Leadership Neshoba class started with an Oct. 25 retreat to Old Mountain Outdoor Adventures in Winona, where activities included teamwork-building games and a ropes course. Tramiah said the ropes course was a good bonding experience.

“I wasn’t scared at all,” Tramiah Moore said. “I love new experiences. I really enjoyed it, and we got to encourage each other. It was fun telling them, ‘You got this.’”

Tim Moore said this year’s Leadership Neshoba group has not yet decided what their service project will be but will continue to work on details at their next meeting today, Wednesday, Dec. 1.






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