Virtual Graduation Held for 2019-2020
Boone County Leadership Institute and Youth Leadership Academy
Presented by Kinetic by Windstream

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Harrison, AR, September 1, 2020 - The Harrison Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Harrison Chamber Foundation announced today the truly virtual graduation of the 2019-2020 Boone County Leadership Institute (BCLI) and Youth Leadership Academy (YLA) -- presented by Kinetic by Windstream.

“Unlike any other year, 2020 provided our BCLI and YLA classes with challenges never before faced when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in mid-March. How do we complete the program? What about our community projects?” said Melissa Collins, Chamber chair and Principal Broker, Weichert, Realtors-Market Edge. “The BCLI and YLA participants answered the challenges, completed programs virtually and even delivered their projects before end of Summer. But then, what about graduation?” she asked.
Chamber Operations Manager, Lloyd Mahoney, one never without an imaginative idea, knew that gathering the 20 students and the 4 facilitators would be near-impossible with coronavirus restrictions. “No problem,” he said. The pictures below reflect the ‘graduation event’ that he arranged and conducted for each class with the participants’ certificates, recognizing their completion of the shortened seven-month course, and the terrific sponsorship of Kinetic by Windstream!

Brad Hedrick, Regional President of Windstream operations for Arkansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa and Minnesota, said, “Kinetic by Windstream congratulates each of the class participants and thanks the Chamber and community for allowing us to present the 2019-2020 BCLI and YLA classes. While everyone had challenges coping with the COVID-19 crisis, these two groups of emerging leaders stepped up and made the most of the diverse program.” He added, “I would have liked to present each their completion certificate, but Lloyd’s innovative virtual ceremony will have to do until I come to Harrison again and meet each participant personally.”

The 2019-2020 BCLI and YLA programs consisted of overnight trips to Little Rock to participate in the 4H ROPES course and meetings with Governor Asa Hutchinson and other elected and appointed leaders. Local day meetings for both classes included leadership engagements with our prime and small businesses, the agricultural industry, local non-profits and county and city governments. 
 
YLA participants, normally high school juniors, are nominated by counselors and principals from Alpena, Bergman, Lead Hill, Omaha, Harrison and Valley Springs high schools. The application for the 2020-2021 YLA program, again presented by Kinetic by Windstream, can be found on the Chamber’s website here, https://www.harrison-chamber.com/applications.html but close September 8th.

About Kinetic by Windstream
Windstream Holdings, Inc. is a leading provider of advanced network communications and technology solutions. Windstream provides data networking, core transport, security, unified communications and managed services to mid-market, enterprise and wholesale customers across the U.S. The company also offers broadband, entertainment and security services for consumers and small- and medium-sized businesses primarily in rural areas in 18 states. Services are delivered over multiple network platforms including a nationwide IP network, our proprietary cloud core architecture and on a local and long-haul fiber network spanning approximately 169,000 miles. Additional information is available at windstream.com or windstreamenterprise.com. Please visit our newsroom at news.windstream.com or follow us on Twitter at @Windstream or @WindstreamBiz.

About the Harrison Regional Chamber of Commerce
The Harrison Regional Chamber of Commerce promotes the economic and business well-being of the greater Harrison and Boone County, Arkansas area.  The investor-driven Chamber also recognizes, values and promotes the outstanding quality of life locally that encourages people to live, work, invest and retire in the area.  For more information, please visit www.harrison-chamber.com 


2019-2020 Boone County Leadership Institute, Class XXXI



BCLI Participants – Row 1 L-R: Shannon Farabee (Santuary, Inc), Fred Evans (FedEx Freight), Tibitha Freeman (Bank OZK), Jeannie Lewis (Windstream), Suzanne Buhr (Career Pathways – North Arkansas College) – Row 2 L-R: Holly Carson (Independent Living, Inc), Gannon Roberts (FedEx Freight), Deborah Ellis (Independent Living, Inc), Brandon Cone (North Arkansas College), Wade Edwards (FedEx Freight)


2019-2020 Youth Leadership Academy, Class XXIII



YLA Participants – Row 1 L-R: Daniel Passarelli (Valley Springs), Emily Wagoner (Bergman) – Row 2 L-R: Dalton Decker (Lead Hill), Noelle Hutchcraft (Harrison), Maura Moore (Valley Springs), Katlyn Sanders (Valley Springs) – Row 3 L-R: Devon Wolf (Omaha), Chloe Avery (Valley Springs), Trevor Little (Bergman), Makenzie Graves (Valley Springs), Nellie Jennings (Valley Springs)