• Bethune
• Boykin
• Camden
• Cassatt
• Elgin
• Lake Wateree
• Liberty Hill
• Lugoff
• Westville

Junior Leadership

Junior Leadership Kershaw County is a partnership of the Kershaw County Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center, the Kershaw County School District and Camden Military Academy.  The program began in 1988 and is one of the oldest continuously running high school leadership programs in the state.  Since it began more than 600 students have completed the program.

Each year approximately 30 juniors and seniors representing Camden, Lugoff-Elgin and North Central high schools as well as the Camden Military Academy participate in a variety of team-building and leadership development activities.

“Junior Leadership is one of the most popular programs we sponsor,” says Liz Horton, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce.  “It is a unique venture and has really resonated with our schools, their students and the business community.

“Over the years it has been very successful developing student leaders and future leaders in our community.  Some of the graduates have gone on to become doctors, attorneys, teachers, a state representative and even a pro football player.”

During the year students will meet in monthly sessions to learn more about leadership, career opportunities, state government and cultural diversity.  They will also participate in a community service project.

The two-day opening retreat is the foundation of the program where students learn about team-work and overcoming obstacles.  David Knight, communications director for Lancaster County schools, lead students through a self-assessment exercise on leadership characteristics.  They also participate in a Keirsey Temperament personality profile session led by Dr. Linda Salane of Columbia College’s Leadership Institute.

Students are challenged to apply those characteristics on day two during their day-long participation at a high ropes course.  “Tackling the ropes course obstacles puts the students to the test both as individuals and as a team,” says Laurie Parks, who chairs the Junior Leadership steering committee.  “It is a long, grueling day, but in the end it is worth their sweat and toil. They enjoy it immensely.”

The year ends in April with a graduation dinner and presentation of the Robert. J. Sheheen Outstanding Junior Leadership Student of the Year award.

Students apply for Junior Leadership in the spring of the school year and are chosen by their schools as representatives in the program.

This year’s class includes:

Camden High: Tanisha Canty, Peyton Bullard, Adrienne Cobb, Haylee Gause, Lauren Maxwell, Zack Neal, Britt Snyder, Maria Tamayo and Taylor Watson.

Camden Military Academy: Sandy Baker, Lucius Bullock, Josh Clementz, Keith Garrison, Collins Gundling and Jason Stone.

Lugoff-Elgin High School: Blake Brettelle, Michael Englehart, Amanda Floyd, Jessica Goff, A J Harris, Mary Pittman, Anna Stevens, Justin Stevens, Meredith Toole and Jack Wood.

North Central High School: Veronica Carter, Iyanna Evans, Anna Hatcher, Keonna Simon, Dylan Sims, Chad Smith and Casi Villereal.