Youth Leadership Robins Region takes a trip to State Capitol

WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — In late January, local high school students were given the opportunity to visit the Georgia Capitol and gain an in-depth understanding of its operations, courtesy of the Robins Regional Chamber’s Youth Leadership Robins Region program.

According to April Bragg, the President and CEO of Robins Regional Chamber, this year’s students had the chance to hear from our local representatives about what motivated them to serve, were recognized on the House floor, and observed a portion of the House’s proceedings.

After lunch, the students visited the Georgia Supreme Court. There, they received a briefing on the court’s functions and had the opportunity to participate in a mock trial, serving as judges and trying a case.

“It was a great experience for the kids to have that kind of access to those leaders that represent us in a casual environment, where they could have that individual engagement, then wrap up the afternoon with just an incredibly memorable experience of actually wearing the robes and sitting in the seats of the justices of the Supreme Court and learning about the way that our judicial and legislative systems work,” Bragg said.

Bragg, along with former Representative Heath Clark and volunteer leader Bobby Coleman, spent the day with the students.

Bragg said the Capitol trip is often the favorite of the program’s students, and it’s great to see connections between Atlanta and Houston County. She added that many representatives didn’t come from a legal or political background, which was a valuable insight for the students.

“To have that close and personal access to those leaders that actually represent us here in Houston County, to hear from them that they’re just regular folks that are answering to a higher calling to serve our community and help shape the future of our region. Many of them graduated from high schools in the area. So, being able to make that connection back to our high schoolers, thinking through, I think it was a good eye-opening experience for many of them,” Bragg said.

Bragg added that the Youth Leadership Class learns these aspects with their futures in mind.

“We seek to expose the kids to those elements that make the community work, but we do that through the lens of future opportunities for them, should they stay here after graduation or go off and come back or want to serve wherever they land, in their career. We want them to see that service can be and should be for everyone and that there are opportunities for them right here in our community,” Bragg said.

Bragg said the Youth Leadership Robins program is similar to the chamber’s adult leadership program and hosts about 25 high school juniors. Houston County, Warner Robins, Veterans, and Northside High School make their nominations for next year’s class in the spring. Homeschools and private schools, like the Westfield School and Central Fellowship Christian Academy, also send eligible students.

“They learn about leadership through their own personal strengths, opportunities to flex those in a safe and friendly environment while also providing them backstage access to our community and the different pieces and parts that make our community work,” Bragg said.

The students learn about various aspects of the community through local leaders, from first responders to Robins Air Force Base, economic development, and multiple industries in the private sector. Those invited to the program are encouraged to embrace the experience and make the most of it fully.

“These kids have unmatched access to a lot of things in our community that a lot of adults in our community don’t know or don’t get access to. And so we just encourage them to be fully present where they are and to be inquisitive and always looking through the lens of ‘what does this make possible?’ Thinking about how the content that they’re receiving can impact their future decisions, whether it’s about careers or where they live. Even just being a more informed citizen, wherever they may land, is tremendously valuable,” Bragg said.

More information about the program can be found at https://www.robinsregion.com/program/youth-leadership/

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