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Chamber’s Junior Ambassadors honored By SUE WATSON
Staff Writer  | Photo by Sue Watson
Planning session
Chamber of Commerce representatives met with Junior Ambassadors to evaluate the success of the program and plan for next fall. |
The
Holly Springs Chamber of Commerce teamed up with Main Street and
Healthy Kids/Healthy Communities to say “thank you” to Junior
Ambassadors for their participation in the chamber’s leadership program
this school year. The event included interviews
with participating students chosen from juniors and seniors in the
Holly Springs High School classes of Felicia Harvell, business and
computer technology instructor, and Mary Ann Arouna, marketing
instructor. Judy Smith, interim director of the
Holly Springs Main Street Program, joined the group to see how the
ambassadors program worked. Main Street will provide leadership
training next fall for sophomores. Students were
interviewed regarding their participation in events this year and their
future plans by Suzanne Langley, consultant with the chamber. Also
participating in the reception was Lynn Pullen, president of the
chamber, and board member Lexine Smith. Pullen thanked students for asking the chamber to participate in the Junior Ambassadors program. “I hope you continue working with us to have a successful life,” she said. Langley said the chamber and Main Street hope to “make the program richer next year.” “What meant the most to you this year?” she asked. The
ambassadors said they enjoyed fund-raising, participating in the
Veterans Day parade, and the history of Holly Springs course provided
by Amy Heaton, prior chamber director who started the program at the
Holly Springs High School. They also took field trips to Rust College and Peebles. Students
were asked what careers they have been drawn to investigate. They
ranged from medical coating, computer software and games design,
pediatrics, mass communication, elementary education, financial
analyst/advisor, and nursing. Some students have
taken an on-line financial literacy program at school but the Northwest
Mississippi Community Foundation offers an on-line literacy program,
also, according to Peggy Linton with the foundation. Students graduate
from the course as a certified financial literacy scholar. The
foundation also offers “Empower Me For Life,” a program about healthy
eating and active living. The course is taught to teens who in turn
teach it to children ages 8-12. Students were
invited to volunteer for events at the chamber and Main Street. The
chamber plans to choose a student to recognize when it hands out awards
such as Business Person of the Year, Pullen said. “We
could add a Junior Ambassador of the Year award,” Pullen suggested.
“We’ve had a Veterans Day Parade and the Memorial Wall. There’s always
an opportunity to volunteer.” Langley said the chamber is working to develop a website to include a directory of members and a newsletter. Students said they prefer to communicate via text messaging. Smith
explained that Main Street is seeking to establish a goal in working
with youth and has some activities planned, including “Hidden
Treasures,” an event connected with some other activities in July. Students can volunteer to make calls to businesses. “Maybe Main Street will help train them as volunteers,” she said. “Maybe we will assign a student to work with a business.” Arouna
said in the fall business students will be put in three-hour block
classes and that the Junior Ambassadors can work with the chamber and
Main Street during some of these blocks. Smith asked students what they consider as volunteering. One student said picking up trash. “You see city beautification as a need,” Smith said. Another student answered, “tutoring younger kids.” Smith said it would be crucial for students to understand their goals and duties as volunteers. “You all are laying a foundation for next year,” Langley said. “It will be helpful to keep a record of what has helped you.” Ambassadors were treated to healthy snacks following the evaluation of the ambassadors program by students. |
