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Riley Institute Selects Emerging Public Leaders


Last updated June 25, 2014

By Tina Underwood

EPL Class of 2014-15 croppedThe Richard W. Riley Institute at Furman University has named 16 participants for its 2014-2015 Emerging Public Leaders Program.

The award-winning Emerging Public Leaders Program is offered free of charge and is designed for a select group of rising high school seniors the Carolinas who desire to get involved in their communities and make a difference. Students are selected through a rigorous application process which includes an essay component and recommendation by a teacher or counselor.

The 2014-2015 Emerging Public Leaders are:

• Alexis Adams, Scott’s Branch High School (Summerton)
• Jo Baslot, Wilson High School (Florence)
• Nikhalia Cheepurupalli, Spring Valley High School (Columbia)
• Natrone Davis, Scott’s Branch High School (Summerton)
• Luke De Mott, Mauldin High School (Greenville)
• Lydia Fink, East Forsyth High School (Kernersville, N.C.)
• Mary Beth Grant, Greenwood High School (Greenwood)
• Westin Hardesty, Travelers Rest High School (Travelers Rest)
• Brittany Joyce, Hartsville High School (Hartsville)
• Mani King, St. Joseph’s High School (Greenville)
• Juejie Liu, South Aiken High School (Aiken)
• Kenny Nguyen, Greenwood Christian (Greenwood)
• Lucas Paquette, Johnsonville High School (Johnsonville)
• Susannah Pazdan, Christ Church Episcopal School (Greenville)
• Tre’ Dessa Smalls, Hartsville High School (Myrtle Beach)
• James Wiley, Riverside High School/Fine Arts Center (Greer)

Says EPL Program Director Melanie Armstrong, “We’ve created a week packed with experiences that enable students to gain the confidence, motivation, information and skills necessary to become leaders in both domestic and international policy arenas.”

The week-long program in June at the Riley Institute on the Furman campus features sessions with local, state and national governmental leaders as well as faculty members from Furman’s Department of Political Science. Students attend lectures, participate in off-campus trips, and interact with speakers and faculty individually and in small-group sessions.

Participants also develop plans for student-led projects which address a need in their respective communities. Students return home to work with local residents and peers on the implementation of their projects. In spring 2015, students come to Furman to present their completed projects; and students with the most successful projects are awarded a cash prize.

For more information, contact the Riley Institute (864) 294-3546 or visit the website via this link.

 

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