2010 Vision Leadership Class celebrates graduation

The largest Rooks County Vision Leadership class to date--the class of 2010--celebrated the end of this year’s leadership program on the evening of Wednesday, December 15 at Cedar Links Country Club.  Fourteen class graduates gathered with nearly 40 other alumni and family members to mark the occasion.

Recognized for their participation in this year’s program were:  Alex Benoit, Kori Bigge, Sherry Brown, Mary Ceridon, Lisa Gehring, Jessi Hrabe, Janet Languein, Hannah Lindsey, Kelcee McCune, Lanette McCune, Dana Pieper, Tonia Werner, Matt Whitney, and Mindy Workman.

This year’s class was a well-rounded group made up of three high school students, several retirees, and a large group of the “Power Ups” of the county—those individuals in the 21-39 age range who are rural by choice.   “It was very gratifying once again to have a wide range of people involved in the program, and especially to have three more high school students this year,” stated program director Roger Hrabe.  “Our young people have so much to add to our communities if we just give them a chance.”

A requirement of the program is to complete a class project, and several of the class members talked about the status of their projects this year.   Examples of projects included: student shadowing, community service projects, reading programs, charitable and faith-based projects, animal rescue, and agricultural education.   One project completed by members of the 2009 class included the 2010 Rooks County Fair Parade.

In his remarks to the class, Hrabe praised others throughout the county who had shown extraordinary leadership throughout Rooks County in 2010.  “All of the good things that are happening in the county right now didn’t happen by accident,” Hrabe said. “People have stepped up and made things happen.”

If you are interested in participating in the 2011 Vision class, or would just like to know more about leadership activities, contact Economic Development Director Roger Hrabe at 785-425-6881 or e-mail at rooksed@ruraltel.net.     

(Class picture identification, L to R, Dana Pieper, Sherry Brown, Mary Ceridon, Matt Whitney, Hannah Lindsey, Kori Bigge, Janet Languein, Kelcee McCune, Tonia Werner, Lisa Gehring, Mindy Workman, Alex Benoit, Jessi Hrabe, and Lanette McCune.)