SHS students attend Missouri Chamber's leadership program

COLUMBIA - More than 140 high school students from across Missouri attended the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry Leadership in Practice program at Stephens College in Columbia.

Representing Sikeston High School were Andrea Coleman and Katelynn Austin. They were sponsored by the Sikeston Area Chamber of Commerce.

The program, which meets each July, is designed to provide young Missourians with the opportunity to learn the characteristics of good leadership. The program is open to students entering their sophomore year in high school.

The training is divided into five areas: personal characteristics of leadership; leadership styles; civic and community leadership; economic leadership; and team building, all to foster participation in activities, simulations and games. Participants are expected to evaluate their leadership skills and set goals for improving those leadership skills.

During the program, students learned about leadership qualities from Missouri business leaders, government officials and educators including State Representative Therese Sander; Jeff Frazier, president of Cellular Today; Diane Olson, director of promotion and education programs for the Missouri Farm Bureau Federation; and several high school teachers from around the state. Students were then challenged to apply the knowledge gained with the other participants in real life activities and simulations.

Leadership in Practice is part of a youth leadership educational program that was initiated by the Missouri Chamber of Commerce in 1962. It is funded through scholarships provided by Missouri businesses and civic organizations.

The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry (www.mochamber.com) was founded in 1923 and is the largest business organization in Missouri, representing almost 3,000 employers providing more than 425,000 jobs for Missourians. The chamber's mission is to preserve and advance a positive business climate in the state.