Jonesboro Chamber project prepares students for future, leadership

Paula Raffo said her daughter, Anna, has had an opportunity over the past several months to learn a lot about the city of Jonesboro in a program that helps prepare students for life after getting their diploma.

At least 25 to 30 Jonesboro area high school juniors participate in the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce Junior Leadership Program each year. The program is modeled after the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program, which has been around for nearly 20 years, said Shelle Randall, the chamber’s Director of Workforce Development and Existing Industry.

“It is like a backstage pass to Jonesboro,” Randall said of the program, which wrapped up this month.

Randall said the junior program begab with a two-day retreat last August where the students got to know one another and learn about communication skills.

“They get to learn. It is a great opportunity to develop mentorships, volunteer, learn about the sectors of our economy and get to know each other,” Randall said.

There were six different sessions, ranging from a mock trial with Circuit Judge Cindy Thyer to spending the day at Arkansas State University.

“They spent the day on campus and for some of them, it may be their first time on campus,” Randall said.

Randall said the students also had an opportunity last year to visit several area manufacturers, as well as working on a service project with 4-and-5-year old children at a local learning center and visiting a local senior center. The trip to the manufacturers helped the students learn about the pros and cons of careers, Randall said.

“One of our missions is to make sure the young people have as much information on careers and their life as humanly possible,” Randall said of the program.

Raffo said the program helped her daughter come out of her proverbial shell and meet other kids her age. She said her daughter now has a part-time job at a local cupcake store and helps with the business’ social media work. The work with other students in the program also led to her daughter working with the March of Dimes Fashion Show in Jonesboro, Raffo said.

“She has become a real people person,” Raffo said of her daughter.

As for a career, Raffo said her daughter is undecided on what to do but noted the program has helped her to learn more about what is out there.

Randall said the program is run entirely by volunteers, who donate their time in mentoring to kids.

“We have a lot of good volunteers to run the program,” Randall said, noting Thyer donates her time to teach the kids about the judicial system.