Green Bay, Wis. (June 3, 2008) – The Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the Brown County Teen Leadership Class of 2008.

Each year, sophomores throughout Brown County have an opportunity to participate in experiential leadership training through the Brown County Teen Leadership Program, which is managed by the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce. During the 2007-08 school year, 27 students from 10 area high schools met with local elected officials, business leaders and diversity partners as they explored different aspects of leadership. Each session covered a specific leadership skill, including discovering their personal leadership style, learning of government and youth advocacy, evaluating the impact of our local economy and the environment, and applying diversity principles to everyday activities.

In addition to learning about these skills, the students also worked in small groups to identify projects the teens could work on to make improvements in Brown County. Group ideas included developing an alcohol-free night club for teens, creating a Teen Day and working with area artists to paint the history of Brown County at area parks.

"The Brown County Teen Leadership program offers an opportunity to engage area youth in the future vitality of our community," said Rebecca Deschane, youth development manager at the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce. "The energy, vision and resourcefulness of these students has been truly inspiring. More importantly, it reinforces the fact that our future is in good hands."

The Brown County Teen Leadership Class of 2008 includes:

Anika Abid, West De Pere

Ashley Arbour, Green Bay West

Rachel Bartels, Green Bay West

Amie Bomber, Ashwaubenon

Alex Breitrick, Green Bay West

Christopher Challe, West De Pere

Janelle Derbique, West De Pere

Mary Catherine Faller, Notre Dame Academy

Shelby Fritsch, West De Pere

Abby Gildernick, West De Pere

Julie Herber, West De Pere

Tara Janssen, West De Pere

Mackenzie Klingert, Notre Dame Academy

Riki Kodanko, West De Pere

Jany Kong, Green Bay East

Emily Loritz, West De Pere

Phoebe Milner, Green Bay West

Tammy Moua, Green Bay East

Marques Noll, Green Bay West

Jennifer Rabas, Preble

Heather Richardson, Green Bay Southwest

Matthew Reep, NEW Lutheran

Leslie Schmidtke, Bay Port

Scott Schumacher, Green Bay East

Stephanie Speel, Green Bay East

Seenia Thao, Denmark

Marissa Theys, Green Bay East

The Education and Leadership department includes programs such as Partners in Education (PIE), Leadership Green Bay and Current Young Professionals. PIE’s most prominent programs include the Golden Apple Awards, Brown County Teen Leadership, Youth Apprenticeship, WisCareers, Career Expo and Educators in The Workplace--programs designed to strengthen the economic future of our community.

Established in 1882, the mission of the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce is to promote economic and community development. Chamber programs include Advance, Partners in Education, Leadership Green Bay, Brown County Teen Leadership, Current-Young Professionals Network, Good Government Council, the Highway 41 International Development Program, and the Small Business Council.

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