T-U Chamber of Commerce Youth Leadership Upson Program

Youth Leadership Upson traveled to Atlanta to the State Capitol building on January 24th.

While at the Capitol, students received a tour, watched a portion of the day 8 Georgia General Assembly in the House of Representatives gallery, and spent time speaking with Beth Camp- Georgia State Rep District 135 and Representative Robert Dickey.

Thank you to Representative Camp for providing lunch for the group and taking time out of your busy schedule to share the process of the 40 legislative days!

Youth Leadership Upson had another great tour yesterday. We began the day with City of Thomaston’s Economic Development Director, Taylor Smith. Taylor talked about bringing in new businesses and the growth we are seeing in our community.

Next, we visited the World War II exhibits at the Thomaston-Upson Archives and the Pettigrew-White-Stamps house, led by members of the Upson Historical Society .

We traveled back to Upson Regional Medical Center’s OR to get a closer look at the daVinci Surgical Robot.

Our final stop was United Bank where the students learned how to complete a loan application and money management strategies from Levi Long and Kayley Smiley.

YLU had a busy day on our community tour!

We began with breakfast and a tour of Upson Regional Medical Center. The group saw the new helipad, new ER waiting room, security, laundry and more! 🚑

Next, we headed to the Thomaston Fire Department. The students toured the fire station and were able to sit in the truck. 🚒

We headed to the Upson County Sheriff’s Office for a tour of the jail and lunch! 🚔 Upson County Sheriff - Dan Kilgore

Our final stop was the Thomaston Georgia Police Department where the students participated in a Mock Jury Trial with District Attorney, Marie Broder and ADA, Ashton Jordan. The Griffin Judicial Circuit, District Attorney's Office shared insight of challenges our community faces.

We ended the day with a demonstration from the TPD’s K9, Beno! 🐕

Thank you to these community leaders for spending time with Youth Leadership Upson!

Our Youth Leadership group took their first tour yesterday! We began with breakfast at TenCate Fabrics followed by a tour of the facility.
We headed to QUAD and then Chief Manufacturing.
After lunch, the students participated in a Mock City Council with City Manager, Russell Thompson.

Thank you to all the plant managers and community leaders for pouring into these students!

Today, the Thomaston Upson Chamber of Commerce's Youth Leadership Upson program engaged in a Mock Council exercise where they took on the crucial task of balancing the city's budget. 📊

In a room filled with potential, 12 remarkable students came together to elect their Mayor, and I'm thrilled to share that Lilly Baity emerged as the leader among them. 🏛️

The group divided into two teams, each consisting of 5 brilliant minds, to brainstorm and find innovative ways to provide essential services to our citizens, all while making the necessary budget cuts. 🧠

As they navigated this challenging task, life threw unexpected expenditures their way. Yet, with unwavering determination, these future leaders passionately debated, disagreed, and occasionally shook their heads in frustration.

But guess what? In the end, they prevailed! 🏆

A heartfelt thanks goes out to our City Manager, Russell Thompson, for investing his time in nurturing the leaders of tomorrow and hosting this thought-provoking exercise.

I also want to extend my gratitude to Madison, the President of the Chamber, for her dedication in fostering and facilitating such an incredible program that will undoubtedly impact our leaders for generations to come. 🌟

Youth Leadership Upson 2023-2024 had their retreat on Monday, September 11th. They participated in team building activities, learned leadership strategies from UGA JW Fanning Institute, and did the zipline at The Ridge.

Thank you to RUSH Ministries for allowing us to do the zipline, NORTHRIDGE CHURCH Thomaston for letting us use your facility, and to UGA Fanning Institute for leading the retreat!

Congratulations to our 2023-2024 Youth Leadership Upson class!

This years participants are Aisha Derico, Boone Creamer, Chacie Bailey, Gracie Daniel, Jackson Blakely, Ja’Maya Jones, Kate Andrews, Landry English, Lily Baity, Logan Ellington, Molly Greer, and Sarah-Kate Bennett.

Youth Leadership is a great way for students to see our community and have some fun all while gaining leadership skills!
Applications are due NEXT WEEK!

Know a Sophomore, Junior, or Senior? Encourage them to apply for Youth Leadership Upson.
Applications are now open and are due on Thursday, August 24.

Find application here: https://www.thomastongachamber.com/leadership-programs

Know a Sophomore, Junior, or Senior? Encourage them to apply for Youth Leadership Upson.
Applications are now open and are due on Thursday, August 24.

Find application here: https://www.thomastongachamber.com/leadership-programs

Fun morning spending time with Youth Leadership Upson!

Today, the Youth Leadership Upson students participated in the Agriculture Tour.
We started the morning off with a drug and alcohol prevention class. Then, we learned what the UGA Extension/4-H - Upson County office does for our community.
We headed to the Upson County Livestock to see how an auction works and took a behind the scenes tour.
Our last stop was Sweet South Strawberry & SSS Farm where we learned more about cattle, chicken houses, show animals, and their strawberry patches!
Thank you to Upson County Farm Bureau Federation for lunch, Hailey Partain, Upson County Livestock, and the South's for a great agriculture tour!

We had a very busy day yesterday!
We began tours at Upson Regional Medical Center. The OR showed and explained the Da Vinci Surgical Robot.
Our next stops were Thomaston-Upson Archives and the Pettigrew-White-Stamps House. We heard from members of the Upson Historical Society on future plans for the house.
Next, we heard from Economic Development Coordinator, Taylor Smith, about future plans in our Downtown Thomaston Main Street.
Smith walked us to a current renovation by Jared Huckaby.
Our last stop was Probate Court! Probate Judge Danielle McRae spoke to the students before watching court.
Thank you to everyone who helped teach our Youth Leadership students about our community!

During our Industry Tour, YLU students were able to visit TenCate Fabrics, Grand Bio, Chief Manufacturing, Quad, and Ranew's. We also visited the Thomaston-Upson Development Authority and heard from Executive Director, Kyle Fletcher!

Our YLU class of 2022-2023 had so much fun during their Team Building at NORTHRIDGE CHURCH Thomaston. Check out some of the best moments!

Youth Leadership applications are due September 1st, by 4pm, at the Chamber Office! Visit our website for the application, http://www.thomastongachamber.com/leadership-programs

Leadership Programs - Thomaston-Upson Chamber of Commerce, GA The mission of YOUTH LEADERSHIP UPSON is to expose selected high school students exhibiting leadership traits to the business, political and civic working of our community.

Youth Leadership Upson and Adult Leadership Upson applications are now open! Click here for more info: http://www.thomastongachamber.com/leadership-programs

Mentors Marlon and Tonia Brown Give Ga. Teens 'Hope' on HGTV's Home Town Kickstart Presented by People In a small Georgia town hit by hard times, a local couple has opened their hearts and home to kids in need

More Photos from YLU Graduation last week! Congratulations to the students and to the parents of these amazing young men and women.
Press Release for YLU Graduation- Click Link below. http://www.thomastongachamber.com/leadership-programs
Photos Taken by Luke Haney, The Upson Beacon

YLU Graduation

Today Youth Leadership Upson finished up our last tour for the 2021/2022 year by touring our local farms. Thank you so much to Hailey Partain of the Upson County Ext Service for setting up our tours today. Cynthia Douglas and Upson County Farm Bureau for feeding us breakfast this morning and the South family/SSS Farm for the amazing lunch. Neely and Marcus have been such a huge blessing to us and this class this year. Without the South's tour bus and Mr. Marcus, driving us each month, YLU would not have been as great as it was! All 20 students being able to ride together each tour really made the year.
Moms and dads, y'all should be very proud. You all have done an amazing job raising these young peeps and we are looking forward to all of the great things they will do in the future! All of the chaperones have enjoyed getting to know all of your children. It's been a blast and we will never forget this class!
Next Tuesday is our graduation for the class. We had to plan it for noon next Tuesday because of everyone's schedules, ask your teens if they have RSVPed to me yet 😁 I'm still haven't heard from everyone.
Parents are invited to attend, but we do need a headcount for lunch by tomorrow.
A few photos from the farm tours today. We learned what the Ext. Service does, we went out to Greene Acres Farm, Mr. Danny and Will Bentley's farm and to SSS Farm. We finished the day by eating some delicious strawberry ice cream/cobbler at SSS Farms. I know Ms. Katie and Ms. Brooke took some photos too.

Good morning! Remember we are touring farms this morning. Dress appropriately. We could be outside, touring the farms. I promise we will try to keep you as dry as possible! No open toe shoes please. Message if you have questions.
Jeans, hats, boots are all welcomed, jackets are a must, it's going to be chilly!

Today’s tourism tour.

Photos from the Tourism tour today. If you have other photos, please post.

YLU at the State Capitol last week with Senator John Kennedy and Represenative Beth Thompson Camp

This TUESDAY!!!!!!! Arrive Early in downtown Thomaston to cheer on Travon! Make or print signs! Wear your UGA Colors! Bring on the Cowbells and Pompoms!
Join us in showing some Love to our Hometown Hero!
5:15 pm Downtown Thomaston
6:15 pm Program at the TU Performing Arts Center

Youth Leadership Upson Community Tour Dec 2, 2021

Youth Leadership Upson Team Building RUSH Ministries NORTHRIDGE CHURCH Thomaston

Team Building exercises with Youth Leadership Upson RUSH Ministries NORTHRIDGE CHURCH Thomaston