BREAKING: Youth LEAD Georgia proudly celebrates the graduation of its 2025 cohort, featuring 28 high school students from across the state. The ceremony, held on November 10 at Trilith Studios in Fayetteville, marks a significant milestone in youth leadership and community engagement.
This transformative program, facilitated by the University of Georgia’s J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development in partnership with Chick-fil-A, has empowered these students through a yearlong journey of leadership development and civic engagement. Each graduate participated in multiple regional sessions, a weeklong bus tour, and a summer summit, which brought together over 150 young leaders from various backgrounds.
Among the notable graduates is Holden Walton from Valdosta, who, along with his peers, engaged extensively with local business leaders to hone their leadership skills. The program’s accessibility was bolstered by a generous $1.5 million pledge from Chick-fil-A, ensuring that all participants could join at no cost.
In a special highlight of the graduation, select students were awarded the Bullard Community Champion grants, aimed at empowering youth to initiate service projects in their communities. Funded by Rodney Bullard, CEO of The Same House, and Regions Bank, these grants support youth-led initiatives addressing local needs or creating new opportunities. Walton was among the nine recipients chosen for their innovative community service plans.
This year’s cohort included talented graduates from various counties, such as Mia Burnett (Sale City), Timothy Carter (Augusta), and Victoria Alexis Clark (Smyrna), showcasing a diverse representation of Georgia’s youth.
As the graduates move forward, their experiences and the skills developed through Youth LEAD Georgia promise to shape their futures and positively impact their local communities. The focus now shifts to the implementation of their community projects and the ongoing commitment to leadership development among Georgia’s youth.
Stay tuned for further updates on the initiatives launched by these inspiring graduates as they step into roles as community leaders.
