On November 10, 2025, twenty-eight high school students from counties across Georgia celebrated their graduation from the second cohort of Youth LEAD Georgia. This leadership program, facilitated by the University of Georgia’s J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development in partnership with Chick-fil-A, aims to empower youth through leadership development and civic engagement.
The graduation ceremony took place at Trilith Studios in Fayetteville and marked the end of a transformative year for the participants. Among the graduates was Holden Walton from Valdosta, who joined peers in honing their leadership skills through a series of dynamic sessions and community interactions.
Yearlong Journey of Leadership and Engagement
The cohort met five times throughout the year, including four regional sessions, a weeklong bus tour, and a summer summit that attracted over 150 youth from across the state. Students engaged with local business and community leaders, enhancing their understanding of effective leadership and civic responsibilities.
Thanks to a generous pledge of $1.5 million from Chick-fil-A, the program is offered at no cost to participants, ensuring accessibility for students from various backgrounds. This investment reinforces the commitment to developing future leaders who can contribute positively to their communities.
Community Champion Grants Support Local Initiatives
At the conclusion of the program, select students were honored with Bullard Community Champion grants, which empower them to implement service projects in their local communities. These grants are funded by Rodney Bullard, CEO of The Same House, and Regions Bank. The initiative encourages youth-led projects that address specific community needs or create new opportunities.
To qualify for the grant, students, including Holden Walton, were required to devise a plan that identifies a local need or opportunity and collaborate with a community partner to implement it. Walton was among the nine recipients of these grants, reflecting the program’s dedication to fostering grassroots leadership and community service.
The graduates of the 2025 Youth LEAD Georgia cohort include:
- Mia Burnett (Sale City)
- Timothy Carter (Augusta)
- Victoria Alexis Clark (Smyrna)
- Ryan Clark (Albany)
- Brodie Combs (Grovetown)
- Paige Folette (Blackshear)
- Abigail Garland (Mansfield)
- Nathaniel Guidry (Athens)
- Kenwin Hayes (Lilburn)
- Zoe Hill (Between)
- Chandler Lewis (McDonough)
- Davis Markham (Newnan)
- Londyn Miller (Atlanta)
- Elaina Parker (Lawrenceville)
- Brooks Potter (Americus)
- Vivian Reyes-Martinez (Cartersville)
- John Rice (Roswell)
- Yasmin Rios (Swainsboro)
- Najah Saadiq (Cairo)
- Caroline Sawhill (Rome)
- Mason Scoville (Carrollton)
- Sneha Singh (Warner Robins)
- Abigail Sulkowski (Rincon)
- Andrew Taylor (Griffin)
- Holden Walton (Valdosta)
- Jonas Wei (Cumming)
- Colin Williams (Colquitt)
- Adalyn Winder (Summerville)
The successful graduation ceremony not only marked a significant milestone for the students but also highlighted the impact of community support in developing the leaders of tomorrow. As these graduates return to their communities, they carry with them the skills and inspiration to make a difference.
