Youth Leadership Rutherford

What a way to wrap up the 2026 Youth Leadership Rutherford class! 🎉

Our final program day was packed with insight, reflection, and celebration. We kicked things off with a conversation on leadership in college sports featuring Lee DeLeon, Deputy Athletic Director at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), Roman Gagliano, Blue Raider Football QB, and Alec Oglesby, Men’s Basketball senior leader. The group loved the discussion format and walked away with many thoughts on leadership, teamwork, and accountability.

We also had a presentation from Allyn Walker with Dale Carnegie, giving students even more tools to carry forward as they step into their next chapter.

After taking time to look back on their YLR journey this year, we celebrated these incredible students at their graduation ceremony, joined by more than 100 proud parents, family members, friends, and teachers. It was a special moment to recognize the class!

Thank you to our program day sponsors, TwelveStone Health Partners, Center Hill Marina, and Bank of Tennessee, and to United Communications, our graduation sponsor.

So what’s next for the Class of 2026?

🎓 8 heading to the University of Tennessee
🎓 2 attending MTSU
🎓 2 attending HBCUs
🎓 14 attending other universities
🔧 2 pursuing vocational schools
🏡 1 entering the real estate field

Career interests are already taking shape as well:
🩺 7 plan to pursue the medical field
💼 4 will study business
📚 Others are exploring a wide range of paths

While some are still deciding, one thing is certain - this group is full of future leaders, and we can’t wait to see the impact they’ll make.

Congratulations, YLR Class of 2026 - you’ve made us proud! 👏

📅 January Youth Leadership Rutherford Day Recap

What a fantastic day for our Youth Leadership Rutherford class! We kicked things off with an insightful presentation from Mai Ferrell on the importance of mental health, followed by the Game of Life with Nancy Gastelum of Redstone Federal Credit Union.

We then headed to Ascension Saint Thomas for lunch and an incredible afternoon of learning. Clay Dyer shared information about the wide range of rehabilitation services offered, and the class enjoyed a tour of radiology and a hard hat tour of the new labor and delivery wing.

A huge thank you to Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford and Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford Foundation for hosting us and for investing in the next generation of leaders. We truly appreciate your hospitality and support! 💙

🚀 Youth Leadership Rutherford had an action-packed day exploring business and economic development in Rutherford County!

👉 Our first stop was in Smyrna at the Nissan manufacturing facility, where they were welcomed by Vice President of Manufacturing, Brian Crockett, and took a tour and saw the plant in production. That was followed by a visit to Hollingshead Aviation at the Smyrna/Rutherford County Airport Authority. Students experienced the flight simulator, toured a private jet, and learned about day-to-day operations.

✈️ Thank you to Evan Lester and Salil Rai with the Airport Authority for sharing insights on the airport’s impressive growth — now the 4th busiest airport in Tennessee!

🍽️ After lunch, the class heard from Jon Harrell with SRM Concrete, who shared about concrete production and even led a fun hands-on concrete activity.

A huge THANK YOU to Nissan and SRM for hosting us and making today an unforgettable learning experience! 🙌

⏰ DEADLINE ALERT!

Rising seniors—don’t miss your chance to be part of Youth Leadership Rutherford’s next class! Applications are due Friday, February 28th at 4:30 PM sharp!

If you're looking for a program that challenges your leadership skills, engages you in the community, and helps you grow as a future leader, this is it! 🙌

Apply now before time runs out!
🔗 https://bit.ly/YLRApps26

Youth Leadership Rutherford Applications Applications close Friday, February 28, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. for ​Youth Leadership Rutherford Class of 2025/2026