AMERICUS — A group of Americus-Sumter High School (ASHS) students recently participated in a “Chamber Champions” workshop recently where they honed communication skills and mingled with students from other schools.
Chamber Champions is a leadership development program sponsored by Americus-Sumter High School and the Sumter County Chamber of Commerce. The program focuses on community-wide involvement and includes participation by a variety of agencies from all around the county. The “Champions” typically gather at Georgia Southwestern State University, though occasionally they meet at the offices of the Chamber of Commerce in Americus. As part of the program students regularly tour businesses and hold speaking engagements by leaders and business owners from around the county. “We get to go behind the scenes and gain exposure to industries first hand,” said Joyabhishek Charles, a junior at ASHS.
Champion students also engage in activities designed to teach communication skills. ASHS junior Mattison Laster says the goal is to develop leadership skills and learn to communicate better with others. “We get to work in groups and mingle with students from other schools,” said Laster. “In one exercise we had to write a letter to a loved one and tell that person how much we appreciate them. Then we stamped and mailed the letter. I chose my aunt who helped me to become the person I am today.”
“One big advantage for our Champions is having the opportunity to meet and work with students from Furlow Academy and Southland Academy,” said Kimberly Merritt, a guidance counselor at ASHS and on-site sponsor of the Chamber Champions.