Youth Leadership Baldwin

And that's a wrap on the YLB Class of 2025-2026! 🎓
Today marked the final session for these students, where we kicked off the day with Ryan Waldrep, from Georgia Power,who guided the class through understanding communication styles and how to work effectively as a team. The students also explored the essentials of personal finance, got a better understanding of community banking, and received valuable tips for navigating their first year of college. A huge thank you to Century Bank and Trust for graciously hosting the class and providing lunch!

This past week, our YLB class had an exciting Infrastructure Day!
We started the morning at Georgia Power Wallace Dam, where students learned about the history of the dam before heading inside for an exclusive tour. They got to see the control board up close, step into the powerhouse, and even take in the incredible views from the top. It was a really cool way to see just how much work goes into maintaining our lakes and keeping everything running smoothly.
To wrap up the day, the class visited the Sinclair Water Authority for a tour of the plant. Students got to see the water treatment process up close, learn about how water is tested and purified, and get a behind-the-scenes look at everything that goes into providing clean water to our community.
A big thank you to The Club at Lake Sinclair for sponsoring the day! The students started their morning with a great breakfast made by Jeff Allbright, and Georgia Power also generously provided lunch for the group.
It was a fun and informative day, and we’re so thankful for the partners who helped make it happen! 💧⚡

Last week, our Leadership and Youth Leadership Baldwin (YLB) classes had the incredible opportunity to tour the Georgia State Capitol and experience state government in action!

The classes heard directly from local and state leaders, including:
Senator Rick Williams
Representative Floyd Griffin
Representative Mack Jackson
Cosby Johnson, Senior Director of Government Affairs, Georgia Chamber
Andrew Turnage, Executive Director, Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission

A special thanks to Senator Williams for catering lunch for the classes, and to Hank Griffeth for guiding them around the Capitol all day.

We are also grateful to Baldwin County School District for providing transportation!

We are extremely thankful to everyone that helped make this a meaningful and memorable experience for our leaders!

YLB Business Development & Industry Day 🚀🏭
The YLB Class had an action-packed day diving into the world of business development and industry!
We kicked things off with Jonathan Jackson with the Develop Milledgeville (Development Authority of the City of Milledgeville & Baldwin County), who spoke with our class about economic and community development. Students even came up with their own business ideas for our community! We then heard from representatives from Central Georgia Technical College to learn about how they play a role in business and industry.
We got our steps in at Fouts Bros Inc.. Where we learned about the design and manufacturing process. A special thank you to Fouts for providing lunch.
Finally, we ended the day at Rath Group learning about the materials needed and used to make specialized, high-temperature resistant materials that help industrial facilities operate safely and efficiently under extreme heat.
A special thank you to Ashley Copeland and Camellia Hurt for planning another great day for our YLB class!

Youth Leadership Baldwin – Public Safety Day was incredible! The class spent the day learning, discovering, and gaining a whole new appreciation for the essential services that keep our community safe.
We kicked things off with Baldwin County Fire Rescue and were welcomed by Dylan Amerson, who gave us an inside look at fire rescue operations. Students even got hands-on experience and walked away with valuable safety skills and a deeper understanding of the critical role firefighters play during emergencies.
Next, we headed to Baldwin Sheriff Georgia, where Sheriff Bill Massee and Col. Scott Deason shared insights into the world of law enforcement. Students learned about investigations, saw how evidence is handled, and even explored how unique fingerprints really are.
We also toured the 911 Center, guided by Director Mandy Ptak, where we listened in on a live car chase as dispatchers worked in real-time. At the Real Time Crime Center, Assistant Director Skye Mears showed the class how technology and coordination support public safety across Baldwin County.
Our final stop was with EMA Director Wayne Johnson, who shared how Emergency Management prepares for and responds to crises. We also heard from Assistant Special Agent Brian Hargrove with the GBI and the Commander of the Ocmulgee Drug Task Force, giving students a powerful look into regional investigations and drug enforcement.
A huge thank you to all our public safety partners for opening your doors and sharing your expertise. And a special thank you to Ryan Harrington for planning such a meaningful, engaging, and unforgettable day for our YLB class!

Last week, our Youth Leadership Baldwin class had an incredible day focused on Healthcare! 🏥✨
Our young leaders began their day at Atrium Health Navicent Baldwin, where they experienced an eye-opening tour through nearly every department — from shipping and supplies to labor and delivery, food services, radiology, pharmacy, and the lab, where they learned the importance of accurate blood testing. They also explored the ER and so much more! This visit highlighted how crucial the hospital is to our rural community, providing comprehensive care and serving as a lifeline for residents across Baldwin County. A huge thank you to Lois, Tarneisha, Tammy, and the entire Atrium team for guiding our students and sharing such valuable insight into the vital roles that keep the hospital running smoothly.
After a morning full of learning, the group enjoyed a delicious lunch provided by Atrium, recharging before heading to their next destination — Baldwin County EMS. There, they got an up-close look at what our ambulances are equipped with and learned how first responders deliver critical care in emergencies.
The final stop of the day was at the Georgia War Veterans Home, where Dennis and his amazing team shared about their work and what makes it more than just a “job” — it’s a calling. Students toured the facilities, gained a deeper appreciation for our veterans’ service, and even got to hear a few inspiring stories firsthand. 🇺🇸
We’re so grateful to all of the healthcare professionals and organizations who took the time to teach, inspire, and show our students what compassion and service look like in action. You are truly shaping the future of Baldwin County! 💙
And of course, a huge shoutout to Jennifer Williamson for organizing this unforgettable day dedicated to learning, leadership, and community! 🙌

Yesterday, the Youth Leadership Baldwin class had a full and exciting day learning “All About Milly.” We are so grateful to everyone who helped make this experience so engaging and informative!

Baldwin County Courthouse
Thank you to Judge Amanda Petty (Superior Court), Judge Sydney Hollinshead (Magistrate Court), Skye Gess (State Court Solicitor General), T. Wright Barksdale (District Attorney), and Wanda Paul (Clerk of Superior Court) for sharing valuable insights into our judicial system. A special thanks to LT. Lara Swicord (Baldwin County Sheriff’s Dept.) for leading the courthouse tour!

The City of Milledgeville
We greatly appreciate Carlee Schulte for explaining how our city operates and highlighting the important role Milledgeville Main Street plays in our community.

Milledgeville Baldwin County Allied Arts
A big thank-you to Executive Director, Rebekah Tobar, for sharing about Allied Arts and generously providing art supplies for our students.

Milledgeville Police Department
We are grateful to Major Linc Boyer for showcasing the latest law enforcement technology and giving students hands-on experiences.

Special Recognition
A huge shoutout to Tori Kala for her incredible coordination and planning that made the day possible!

We are immensely thankful for the dedication and generosity of our community leaders in educating and inspiring our future leaders.

We had such an incredible experience with our first Youth Leadership Baldwin class! The day was filled with exciting team-building activities and plenty of opportunities to connect and grow as a group. A huge thank you to the Outdoor Center at Georgia College for facilitating these fun and challenging exercises that really brought us closer together. We're already looking forward to our next class day and can’t wait to continue this journey of leadership, learning, and collaboration!

We are so excited to announce our Youth Leadership Baldwin Class of 2026! 🎉

Attention All High School Juniors!

📣 Youth Leadership Baldwin Applications are Now Open! 📣

Are you ready to make a difference and learn more about your community? Join Youth Leadership Baldwin, an amazing program designed to inspire and empower future leaders like YOU!

Apply today: http://bit.ly/3U4hRYe
Or pick up an application from your school counselors!

Our young leaders wrapped up their final class last week with an inspiring and action-packed day! 🏥✨ They began at Atrium Health Navicent Baldwin, where they explored every department—from patient check-in to discharge—gaining insight into the incredible work happening behind the scenes. Huge thanks to our amazing tour guide Joy and the hospital staff for sharing their time and knowledge!
After a delicious lunch at the hospital café, the adventure continued at the Middle Georgia Gang Task Force- Ocmulgee Drug Task Force. There, students learned about the important work of the Middle Georgia Gang Task Force- Ocmulgee Drug Task Force and even got to try on gear to experience what it's like to be part of the force! 👮‍♂️🔍 What an unforgettable way to close out this incredible journey!