METAIRIE, La. – From the Jefferson Community Foundation:
On April 17, the Jefferson Community Foundation honored the Jefferson Community Youth Leadership Class of 2024 at a ceremony held at The Moore in Harahan. After a few years on pause, the high school leadership program re-launched in September of 2022 and is celebrating its second graduating class.
The program is open to high school junior and senior students in Jefferson Parish public, private, and parochial schools. The curriculum included an opening and closing/graduation ceremony, as well as instruction on relevant topics in key areas: healthcare, education, economic development, law enforcement/governance, diversity equity and inclusion, and community involvement. The free program gave students an opportunity to grow their leadership and teamwork skills.
“Congratulations to all the graduates on completing the Jefferson Community Youth Leadership Program as they have been recognized as having the potential to be great leaders in our community,” said Roland Frank, vice president and general manager at Cornerstone Energy Park, the graduation sponsor. “At Cornerstone, we are driven by the belief that education fuels our future. I was honored to provide some words of encouragement to the JCYL graduates emphasizing that life is a constant learning opportunity filled with struggles, failures and ultimately success. But, if they look for the lessons in each part of their journeys and use it as a learning experience to take their next steps forward, their lives will be fulfilled.”
Congratulations to the following graduates:
- Lyra Adams, East Jefferson High School, NOCCA
- Isabella Alvarez, De La Salle High School
- Nurix Alvarez, Alfred Bonnabel Magnet Academy High School
- Sthephany Castro, Alfred Bonnabel Magnet Academy High School
- Aidan Dikeman, Kenner Discovery Health Sciences Academy
- Madison Hebert, Academy of Our Lady
- Craig Henry II, L.W. Higgins High School
- Keionna Herrera, Alfred Bonnabel Magnet Academy High School
- Amy Matamoros, L.W. Higgins High School
- Kevin Mejia, Alfred Bonnabel Magnet Academy High School
- Sherlandy Mirtil, West Jefferson High School
- Elizabeth Oloja, John Ehret High School
- Jayden Plaisance, Thomas Jefferson Academy for Advance Studies
- Kimora Rankins, L.W. Higgins High School
- Gavin Richards, Alfred Bonnabel Magnet Academy High School
- Franchesca Sanchez, West Jefferson High School
- Neal Tandon, Haynes Academy for Advanced Studies
- Anyla Tobias, Alfred Bonnabel Magnet Academy High School
- Kenneth Tran, Patrick F. Taylor Science and Technology Academy
- Alysia Treece, John Ehret High School
- Kenique Varmall, John Ehret High School
- Savannah Williams, Haynes Academy for Advanced Studies
The program was underwritten by Presenting Sponsor 1st Lake Properties and the Graduation Sponsor was Cornerstone Chemical Company, LLC. Supporting Sponsors were Atmos Energy, Inclusivcare, Jefferson Business Council, Jefferson Community Foundation, and OnPath Federal Credit Union. Session sponsors included Bonvenu Bank (formerly Citizens National Bank), the Coulon Family Fund, JEDCO, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, LCMC/East Jefferson Hospital, New Orleans Saints/Pelicans, and Red River Bank.
The application is now open for the Class of 2025 until Aug. 16.
