DeSoto County School Board recognizes nearly 100 students for new Superintendent Youth Leadership Council

The DeSoto County School Board on Sept. 18 introduced and recognized nearly 100 juniors and seniors named to the Superintendent Youth Leadership Council, a countywide student leadership program. Miss Rodriguez, the superintendent, presented the report and asked Mr. Shands to read names while a board member presented certificates.

The council drew a substantially larger applicant pool this year, Miss Rodriguez said, and has grown in size over recent years. "This is an opportunity for them to grow as leaders," Miss Rodriguez said, noting the program is intended to help students prepare "for college and the workforce" and to return to their high school campuses with leadership skills.

Mr. Shands read the list of students individually as they came forward to accept certificates. The list included Zoe Antonian, Carolyn Burrell, Ezekiel Bostic, Madeline Baraj, Lexington Callahan, Kylie Carter, Bailey Chase, Eleanor Cressman, Jackson Cressman, Theresa Darden, Jenna Engberg, Austin Farmer, James Garner, Grace Gash, Braden Gordon, Easton Goss, Barbara Goss, Honor Grossman, Simone Head, Emily Howells, Christian Hughes, Jaden Johnson, Lucas Jones, Tanner Jones, Lauren Venice, Charlie Moore, Jacob O'Brien, Mary Parker, Emilio Piven, Meriwether Piven, Landa Hurdle, Jacob Russell, Reed Sanders, Benjamin Sarton, Ava Smith, Tia Smith, Riley Starnes, Scottie Swanson, John Walton, Riley Ware, Greg Weiss, Caitlin Will, Harris Wyeth, Hayden Ziegler and others announced during the ceremony.

Miss Rodriguez thanked parents in attendance and said staff will take a group photo outside after the meeting. She also noted that Ms. Vincent asked to convey her congratulations though Ms. Vincent could not attend due to a health issue.

The recognition occurred during the superintendent's report and was followed by a brief recess for photographs. No board action beyond the ceremonial recognition was recorded.