When it comes to developing leaders, it pays to start early.

For more than a decade, Loudon County Education Foundation has targeted middle school students.

"We're trying even harder this year to emphasize the 'stay in school and graduate message,'" said Betsy Morrow, Loudon County Education Foundation director.

Each January a new group of middle school students is selected for leadership training. Each November, alumni of the previous year's class return for new challenges and training.

The 11th annual Youth Leadership Alumni Conference for Lenoir City and Loudon County middle school students was conducted Tuesday, at the Boys and Girls Club of Loudon County in Lenoir City.
Angel Varner, from Lenoir City Middle School, said the exercises were challenging. "Sometimes it is really hard," she said.
Sponsors of the conference include Lenoir City Schools, Loudon County Schools, Loudon Woman's Club and Loudon County Education Foundation.

Seventh and eighth grade students from Fort Loudoun Middle School, Greenback School, Lenoir City Middle School, North Middle School and Philadelphia School attended the conference as program alumni.

Shelby Gentry of Greenback said she enjoyed participating in the leadership training. "It's been fun, and it makes me feel good that my school picked me as a leader."

Morrow said students in the leadership program work on communication, conflict resolution, team building and skill building. "When they come back as alumni, they get to put those skills into practice," Morrow said. "We do not allow them to stay in their own school group. They all have to come out of their comfort zone. If they don't, we shove them out of it."

The day began with opening remarks from Tim Berry, principal of North Middle School. Then, students took part in group team building exercises, including activities on a climbing wall.

Some fell, swinging from safety harnesses. Some went straight to the top without hesitating.

After lunch they participated in a challenge competition.  Steve Millsaps, principal of Lenoir City High School, offered closing remarks. Each student received a certificate of participation.

Conference alumni included: 

Fort Loudoun Middle School - Rachel Collins, Chelsea Conner, Jacob Garner, Zoe Grimes, Andrew Hendrix, Taylor Hill, Christian Holmes, Ryan McNabb, Selena Morales, Mason Mustin and Ryder Watkins.

Greenback School - Tiffany Anderson, Jennifer Burgess, Harley Cope, Myra Davidson, Shelby Gentry, Cody Graves and Ashley Mell.

Lenoir City Middle School - Teresa Bedolla, Rebekah Bluford, Chris Brewster, Kaity Giles, Sam Moore and Angel Varner.

North Middle School - Ashley Chapfin, Hannah King, Justin Kingrea, Peyton Leho, Cole Lombardo, Jake Noah, Emily Price, Blake Reed, Hannah Selvidge and Ryan Weaver.

Philadelphia School - Kara Brummitt, Steven Davis, Annah Dorsett, Justin Franklin, Kallee Harvey, Danielle Kissiah, Baylie Lawhon, Kristen Markowicz, Laekyn Massey, Brittany McCarty, Tyler Oody, Kimberly Tadlock, Roger Waddell and Tyler Walters.