Student Leadership Johns Creek Wins District Award

JOHNS CREEK, GA — Student Leadership Johns Creek won the Secretary of State Ambassadors State District 6 title for the third consecutive year and came in second overall in the statewide competition. The competition comprised nearly 200 teams from throughout Georgia beginning in September. This was the third straight District 6 win by the Secretary of State Ambassadors representing Student Leadership Johns Creek. The program has won the statewide competition two of the past three years.

The Secretary of State Ambassadors Program is a leadership training program for high school students in the 10th through 12th grades that encourages civic participation and voter registration. Students who serve as Ambassadors earn points for promoting civic engagement, voter registration and volunteerism. Student Leadership Johns Creek remarkably earned the second most points this year falling short of Brookwood High School.

These nine students conducted many civic activities including hosting several city council candidate debates, voter registration drives, working at polling places during the election as well at the first Fulton County Superior Court Judges forum.

“On behalf of the Fulton County Superior Court Judges, I would like to congratulate Student Leadership Johns Creek on their outstanding achievements this year," said Superior Court Judge Rachelle Carnesale. "Given the COVID-19 crisis, the Judges Forum organized and executed by these students turned out to be one of our few opportunities to speak with Fulton County citizens in person. The Forum was very well organized and was a rewarding experience for all the participating judges.”

Being on the path to a career in public policy, the Secretary of State Ambassadors program opened doors that no other initiative could, said Ann Philip, one of the nine student Ambassadors from Northview High School.

“From moderating city council debates and a judges forum to holding voter registration drives and town hall meet and greets, the reward in being part of this program is most definitely unmatched as it teaches you a great deal about local politics but even more so about the increased need for all constituents to fulfill their civic duty and obligation," Philip said.

Johns Creek Mayor Mike Bodker echoed the importance of the program to the citizens of Johns Creek, saying, “These outstanding Student Leadership Johns Creek participants are extraordinary role models, and we as a city are honored and blessed to have them represent our community at the Secretary of State’s Student Ambassador Program.”

The nine Ambassadors are students at Northview, Chattahoochee, Centennial and Johns Creek high schools: Ann Philip, Yasmin Shalim, Tina Dong, Kian Kermani, Omeed Kalan, Lydia Grace Logan, Olivia Shaffer, Caelyn DeSouza and Jayla Melvin.

Student Leadership Johns Creek is a competitive program that has been a highly-valued part of the community for over 8 years. Students come from Centennial High, Chattahoochee High, Johns Creek High and Northview High. Applications for the next Student Leadership Johns Creek class will be available beginning Dec. 1, at each school’s counselor office or online.

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