Student Leadership Johns Creek Members Visit State Capitol

JOHNS CREEK, GA -- Instead of spending a day off from school lounging around the house or staring at their phones or tablets, 45 students representing four area high schools -- Centennial, Chattahoochee, Johns Creek and Northview -- boarded a bus heading to Atlanta to learn more about their government and how it functions in Georgia.

The student leaders spent part of the day discovering the varied responsibilities of the Department of Revenue from Commissioner Lynne Riley and her staff, including Sid the department’s drug enforcement dog. The group was treated to a guided tour of the State Capitol given by noted Georgian civic leader Roger Wise.

Walking the venerable marbled floors of this working Capitol building, Wise familiarized the students with the governmental proceedings that go on under the Gold Dome.

Liz Hausmann, vice chair and District 1 representative on the Fulton County Commission, explained the functions of the county government. She described how decisions made at the county level directly influence the citizens of Johns Creek. Superior Court Kelly Lee Ellerbe enlightened the group on how the court system works in Georgia after their visit to the Fulton County Jail where they witnessed the stark reality of a criminal detention center.

Currently the program is in the fifth year. Besides acquiring leadership skills during the two-year program, the students learn project management skills that help them to develop a mentoring project with their local elementary or middle feeder schools.

"Today's students are tomorrow's leaders, and exposure to public and private sector entities during the SLJC program offers them a glimpse of the opportunities for career success that are available to them to pursue," Commissioner Lynne Riley said.

The two year SLJC program is managed by an advisory committee under the direction of Leadership Johns Creek, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, in collaboration with Fulton County Schools.

Day to day functions are handled by Executive Director Irene Sanders, a Johns Creek resident and mother of two graduates of Johns Creek high schools.

Participants are students who have demonstrated either solid or emerging leadership qualities in school, places of worship or in community service activities. Selection is made through a rigorous application process, which takes place in the first quarter of each calendar year.

Applications are made available in schools during December.

Upon completion, graduates will:

• be able to contribute positively to their schools and fill the need of training future student leaders of clubs and organizations;
• have increased awareness of the community outside of schools and personal activities;
• be better equipped to take on leadership roles at colleges and in careers;
• become future leaders of our city and beyond;
• have strong connections to, and become an integral part of, the future success of Johns Creek; and
• be empowered to serve their community and prepare for future jobs

For more information, contact Irene Sanders Executive Director at sanders@leadershipjohnscreek.com or 404-406-0480.