Area teens named Emerging Public Leaders

The Riley Institute at Furman University has announced its 2015-16 class of Emerging Public Leaders (EPL). Launched in 2002 by the Riley Institute, Emerging Public Leaders is an intensive, statewide service-oriented leadership program for rising high school seniors.

Now in its 14th year, EPL has accepted 16 rising high school seniors from across South Carolina, bringing the total number of students who have participated in the program to 185.

The 2015-16 Riley Institute Emerging Public Leaders are:

Clover:
Kaitlyn Sain
Clover High School

Columbia:
Tori Jabber
Irmo High School

Duncan:
Khalil Gamble (of Moore, S.C.)
Byrnes High School

Greer:
Kehler Bryant
Blue Ridge High School

Greenville:
Rhett Baker
St. Joseph’s High School

Mira Carroll
Southside High School

Emma Gross
St. Joseph’s High School

Andrew James
Greenville High School

Elizabeth Marron
Greenville High School

Alexis Wright
Greenville High School

Mauldin:
Celine Crum
Mauldin High School

Orangeburg:
Drew Davis
Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School

Spartanburg:
Jeremiah Drummond
Dorman High School

Summerton:
Desmond Brown
Scott’s Branch High School

Brianna Brunson
Scott’s Branch High School

Summerville:
AJ Alford
Fort Dorchester High School

Accepted students will convene for a week on the Furman University campus where they will investigate topics such as engaging in the community, analyzing critical issues, practicing ethical leadership, developing communication and presentation skills, and planning for the implementation of a service project.

Following the summer, students work with Institute staff, school officials, and residents in their communities to more fully develop their service project ideas, and then later implement projects that reflect needs in their communities.

The students return to campus the following spring to present their community service projects to a panel of judges, and the winning project receives funds for program expansion or replication.

Learn more about the Riley Institute’s Emerging Public Leaders program. Or contact program director Melanie Armstrong at the Riley Institute (864) 294-3546, or melanie.armstrong@furman.edu.