Leadership Asheville, Youth Leadership Asheville Classes Graduate

UNC Asheville’s Leadership Program recently wrapped up its 23rd Leadership Asheville (LA) class in May with a graduation for the 30 program participants. More than 800 area residents have completed the program since its inception in 1982.

In addition, the third Youth Leadership Asheville (YLA) class of 17 local high school students celebrated their graduation from the program last month. Some 70 students have completed YLA since it began in 2002.

“These programs are designed to inform, prepare, and hopefully inspire citizens to practice leadership that will benefit the communities in Asheville and Buncombe County,” said Gerry Goertz, UNC Asheville Leadership Programs director. “Each year in LA and YLA, we explore issues affecting the future of our community and topics ranging from local government and education to economic development and the environment. The programs also include educational sessions on leading change, leading in a multi-cultural world and leadership lessons from the front lines.” 

At the beginning of the LA program, five Leadership Action Teams were formed.  The service projects completed by the teams helped participants to improve their collaborative problem-solving skills and refine their leadership styles, while making contributions to the community. This year projects included: “Business Ethics: Creating Value from Values,” “Dating Abuse Teen Awareness” (organized through a partnership with YLA), “It’s All About the Kids,” “PALS (Police and Latino Students) Together,” and a sustainable organic vegetable garden at the Swannanoa Valley Youth Development Center.

LA 23 graduates are: Donna Bowman, Asheville Saving Bank; Travis Childs, First Citizens Bank; Donna Cottrell, New Vistas Behavioral Health Services; Ron Curran, Western North Carolina AIDS Project; Patrick Fitzsimmons, American Red Cross Asheville-Mountain Area Chapter; Ann Goosmann, Junior League of Asheville; Kevin Hefner, Wachovia Bank; Bill Hogan, City of Asheville Police Department; Mitzi Holmes, CarePartners Thoms Rehabilitation Hospital; Greg Lucas, The Media Arts Project; Bill Mance, Mission Hospitals Inc.; Jackie Mangum, Buncombe County Schools, Avery’s Creek Elementary School; Richard Mauney AB Technical Community College; Tara May, Consultant; Michael McCarthy, AB Technical Community College; Daniel Mermin, clinical psychologist; John Mikos, YMCA of Western North Carolina; Ronald Morin, Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa; Katherine Morosani, George W. Morosani & Associate; Rachael Nygaard, United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County; Roger Parkin, community volunteer; Jacque Penick, Mountain Area Child and Family Center; Theresa Piwowar, The Biltmore Company; Melissa Porter, City of Asheville; Jose Ruiz, AYUDAS 1; Katie Russell Miller, Children First; Miriam Schwarz, SAGE Partners Inc.; Rachael Shoffner, North Carolina Outward Bound School; Meredith Stone-Switzer, Junior Achievement of WNC; and Gordon Walton, One Who Serves Inc.

YLA 3 graduates are: Laurel Ashton, Asheville High School; Ben Anders, North Buncombe High School; Hilary Cole, Owen High School; Jamie Diner, North Buncombe High School; Miranda Garrison, Owen High School; Kathleen Griffin, Owen High School; Dane Jorgensen, Owen High School; Nolan Just, Owen High School; David Kennerly, T.C. Roberson High School; Courtney Klemm, Owen High School; Patrick Narron, Veritas Christian Academy; Ashley Rumbough, Owen High School; Emily Scott, A.C. Reynolds High School; Jessica Taylor, Owen High School; Ilona Tumash, A.C. Reynolds High School; Jerome Wilkins, Owen High School; Nolan Simonett, A.C. Reynolds High School.

UNC Asheville’s Leadership Programs Office is now accepting applications for LA 24, which will begin in September 2005, and YLA 4, which will begin in October 2005. For information, contact UNC Asheville’s Leadership Programs Office at 828/251-6125 or e-mail leadership@unca.edu.

Media Contacts:

• Gerry Goertz, UNC-Asheville Leadership Programs Director, 828/251-6694
• Jill Yarnall, UNC Asheville Public Information Assistant Director, 828/251-6526