 Planting the Seeds of Leadership
Whenever I speak at schools, which is as often as I am invited, I tell students that -- as Mayor -- one of my principal concerns is to serve as a bridge between my parents generation and theirs. My parents generation gave us a wonderful hometown, and while I will do everything I can to make it even better for those who follow, the students will have to get ready to accept the responsibility of engaging and leading to make it even better to hand over to their children.
As many will remember with Thomas McDermott Post, an eight year old at Beaufort Elementary School and Bill Dula, an 83 year young retired commercial artist, We published The Pink Dolphin, a book for children and adults, about diversity and collaboration. Students have loved it when I read it to them and often remind me of the book when I see them. 2015 I took, what I would expect to be the next of many, steps to introduce students to civic engagement, responsibility and leadership.
Since February, retired educator, Noel Tillman, assisted by adult liaisons from each of our middle schools, launched Beaufort Youth Leaders. Last week the students planted the first Trees in the City's Tree Farm at Southside Park. Tuesday Evening they presented a program for City Council and Friday they will complete the program with an event at the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park followed by a cook out at my home.
Join Us Friday in the Park
4 PM at the Flag Pole
West St Extension
Welcome to the Young Leaders of Beaufort Patriots in the Park Event
The Mayor's Office and Downtown Beaufort Main Street have co-sponsored this activity which is hosted by the Young Leaders of Beaufort.
Our organization:
The student leadership pilot program ran from Feb- May this school year.
It included 7th and 8th graders from 7 different middle schools in Beaufort.
The goals for the group were simple, get engaged in civic activities, and be an active member of your community.
The group visited and toured several city offices and agencies to get a better understanding of how city government works.
They were also engaged in community volunteer projects at their schools and in the community.
They adopted three core values as part of their leadership training for the program next year.
TEAMWORK DIVERSITY GO ABOVE AND BEYOND
Special Thanks
Beaufort High School's JROTC color guard cadets and their advisors Col.(ret) Johnson and MSgt (ret) Rawlins.
Ms LaNelle Fabian representing Downtown Beaufort Main Street, a non-profit organization that encourages and promotes local businesses.
Mayor Billy Keyserling, the founder of the program, had the vision to pull together representatives from various schools, and hosted the monthly meetings at City Hall, and really went above and beyond by supporting us financially with our logo shirts, lunches, a barbecue celebration party, and numerous other fiscal contributions.
Music provided by Lady's Island Middle School students: Taylor Maddox (YLOB member) and her sister Sydney
The program
Marching music followed by presentation of the colors by the JROTC students
A welcome statement from LaNelle Fabian , Downtown Beaufort Main Street
Viola,violin, and singing of the national anthem, The Star Spangled Banner
Mayor Keyserling shares memories from the past and hopes for the future
Viola, violin, and singing of America The Beautiful
Adjourn to celebrate the successful end of the pilot program year for YLOB.
Noel Tillman,
Director, Young Leaders of Beaufort
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