From staff reports
TRUSSVILLE – The American Studies Institute held its annual National Leadership Forum at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas from June 7 through June 12, and three Hewitt-Trussville High School students attended the forum.
Area civitan clubs and Tennessee Farm Bureaus selected the delegates, who were instructed in the values and qualities of leadership. Local students Samantha Ledbetter, Josie Lyster and Madilyn Knight learned how the U.S. has developed its leaders at the June forum.
The three scholars were sponsored as delegates to the forum by the Trussville Fire Department and the Trussville Civitan Club.
Over 200 students from four states attended this year’s forum in Arkansas. Harding University has an enrollment of over 6,000, which makes it the largest private university in Arkansas.
Each attendee learned about comparative economic systems and ways to defend their society and its freedoms. Presentations were given by the following leaders: Dean Sikes, founder of the Spirit of America Foundation, who addressed “Discover Your Destiny”; John Foppe, a motivational speaker who discussed “Life is an Attitude”; Dr. Jim Miller spoke on “Using Social Media for Social Good”, and Pat Socia discussed “Walking the Sexual Freedom Road”, which is a challenge to delegates to be leaders in sexual morality and making good life choices.
Some presentations were given on the power of choice in every aspect of life, and evaluating functions of being a leader. Others addressed critical issues facing the environment.