Leaders learn more about Adams County

By Sherry Larson

People’s Defender

“A leader is great, not because of his or her power, but because of his or her ability to empower others,” John Maxwell.

On June 13, the 2024 Leadership Adams Class and Leadership Adams Youth Academy Class celebrated their graduation. The event featured speeches by Leadership Adams Board President Mike Pell, Senator Terry Johnson, and Representative Justin Pizzulli.

This year’s graduating Leadership Adams Class spent little time deciding on and completing projects. Executive Director Jeff Foster said, “By the end of day one, they were a team and started to think of projects very quickly. When they knew that the first project they’d chosen for Church 180 wasn’t going to take long, they said, ‘What else can we do?’” Foster said the members wanted to focus on kids.

Danielle Poe, Coordinator of the Leadership Adams class 2024, said, “I had the privilege of watching true leaders come together and grow. This group created two outstanding initiatives that greatly impacted our community. The greatest blessing, though, was seeing how a group of strangers came together, most already leaders professionally yet humble enough to show true interest in learning to be even bigger assets in their community. Adams County is full of incredible people, and this group of 11 - just outstanding human beings.”

Mat Reno of Ohio Means Jobs, one of this year’s class members, explained that most of the class this year were Adams County natives and understood that there weren’t many opportunities for young people. He said, “We wanted to do something for the kids.”

The first project facilitated the purchase of freezer units for Church 180’s food pantry, which an anonymous donor made quickly possible. Class member Heather Dickens said, “We all wanted to help Church 180 because those freezers would impact many people.” The next project was geared towards helping feed students participating in the Health Department’s summer program, which Dickens oversees.

Foster reported that class members Ryan Brewer of 1st State Bank and Brandon Campbell of GE were incredibly instrumental in organizing a golf scramble that provided nearly $2000 for funding food for the summer program. Reno said, “We hope to pass the golf scramble to next year’s class.” Dickens added, “Future classes can continue to grow and donate to whoever they choose.” Foster concurred that he wants to encourage the continuance of the golf scramble and said, “It could be great for future projects.”

Reno wants to spearhead an alumni event bringing together past Leadership Adams graduates. He aims to reignite former projects and get alums interested in helping with future ones.

Sixteen new members have already been chosen for next year’s Leadership Adams class. They will learn and experience more about Adams County and use their influence to empower others.