The second annual Leadership Launch event has officially kicked off at Jamestown Business College.
High school seniors from schools throughout Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties gathered together on Thursday evening to commence the 2012 Leadership Launch. A five-week program, the event is intended to offer professional development training to students who have exhibited leadership potential within their schools.
According to Jessica Golley, director of marketing and communications, JBC students who have received this training have had great success in finding employment upon graduation. And it is due to the achievements of this development training within their own walls that JBC is looking for an opportunity to extend this programming out into the community.
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State Sen. Cathy Young speaks to a group of students at Jamestown Business College on Thursday night.
P-J photo by Gavin Paterniti
"Because of their success, we decided to extend (the training) into the community at the high school level," said Golley. "Last year, we started with just Chautauqua County as it was our first year. This year, we have extended it to include Cattaraugus and Warren counties as well."
Among attendees for Thursday night's commencement was a special guest, New York State Senator Cathy Young. Sen. Young, R-Olean, who delivered a welcoming speech to the students, took time to meet with each student in attendance and ask about their future plans.
"These are future leaders and they're learning new skills that will help them be successful in their careers and lives," said Sen. Young. "Someone saw something special in (these students) to recommend them to this program."
Altogether, 30 students will experience leadership developing activities and seminars in the following weeks such as: learning effective communication for leaders, a professional seminar on initiative and first impressions, and a roundtable seminar on leadership reading.
"We are very excited to have the opportunity to work with Sen. Young and to be a part of such a valuable program for these up and coming leaders in our community," said Rosanne Johanson, vice president of JBC. "It gives the college a wonderful opportunity to share some of the lessons that we utilize with our students and give back to the community."
Between the three counties to which this program has been offered, 11 schools are being represented, including: Cassadaga Valley, Chautauqua Lake, Forestville, Fredonia, Jamestown, Southwestern, Cattaraugus-Little Valley, Ellicottville, Olean and Allegany-Limestone.
The 2012 Leadership Launch event will conclude with an award ceremony celebrating the program Nov. 1.