CECA to Host Leadership Forum

CECA and John Ben Shepperd will join ranks once again in an effort to encourage our area youth to be leaders in the communities, state, and country in which they live. The S.O.S Program is a joint effort between CECA and The University of Texas at Permian Basin. The purpose of the Forum is to draw on the experience of current Texas leaders in order to develop leaders of the future.

John Ben Shepperd, the namesake of the Shepperd institute, devoted countless hours and energy to the people of Texas during his 50 year career as a public servant and private citizen. He served as Secretary of State and as Texas Attorney General. Over the course of his lifetime, he received numerous honors and awards, yet he emphasized that the awards were not the goal, service to one’s community, state and country were what mattered. His legacy of public service continues through the Shepperd Leadership Institute’s programs and the lives of individuals who have been influenced by his ethics, morals, values, and his truly effective style of leadership.

The program model teaches practical information and skills to students with leadership potential. It is interactive, entertaining, and educational. The experiences, skills and techniques of successful business, political and civic leaders are combined with the ambition and idealism of students for a sound System Of Service. Students with diverse backgrounds are not only introduced to current and future leaders, but are also given a networking opportunity with students of similar backgrounds.

UTPB provided an added bonus last year: a $500 Scholarship which was awarded to Leah Woolam, an Eastland High School student. Leah’s is currently ranked among the top ten students at Eastland High School. Her long term goal is to become a pharmacist.

The forum will take place at the 4-H Center at Lake Brownwood on November 2nd. It is open to Juniors in the following schools:

  • Albany
  • Baird  JBS 2010
  • Bangs
  • Blanket
  • Breckenridge
  • Cisco
  • Comanche
  • Cross Plains
  • De Leon
  • Early
  • Eastland
  • Goldthwaite
  • Gorman
  • Gustine
  • Hamilton
  • May
  • Moran
  • Mullin
  • Priddy
  • Ranger
  • Rising Star
  • Sidney
  • Zephyr

An invitation to send ten leaders from the Junior class has been sent to each of these schools. If you have a student that is a Junior in one of these schools who would be interested in attending the forum, please have them contact their school counselor or principal, or contact Shirley at 800-915-2533 or sdukes@ceca.coop.