MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Rising high school seniors Abba Crumpton of Fayetteville High School, Allaster Hay of B.B. Comer High School, and Hayden Hubbard of Sylacauga High School were among 23 students representing 17 Alabama Chambers of Commerce who attended the seventh annual Huntingdon College Economic and Community Development Scholars Program. The three students represented the Sylacauga Chamber of Commerce.
The three-day, two-night program was hosted by Huntingdon College in partnership with the Huntingdon College Presidential Scholars Program and the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama. The annual event introduces students to the importance of economic and community development at both the state and local levels.
To gain firsthand experience in economic and community development, students were divided into teams and assigned an Alabama city to represent. Participants assumed public office roles and used their knowledge of their hometowns to compete for the opportunity to attract a corporation’s headquarters to their assigned city.
As part of the project, students completed several assignments, including creating a community highlight tour. Teams then presented their final pitches to Huntingdon College President Anthony Leigh and other guests. Following the presentations on Friday, the winning team was recognized during a groundbreaking and ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Leigh praised the students for their leadership and commitment to their communities.
“Each year, this program brings together some of the most promising young leaders from high schools across Alabama, and this year’s cohort is no exception,” Leigh said. “These students are motivated, thoughtful, community-minded and eager to make a positive impact. They represent the very best of their schools and hometowns, and it is clear that their local chambers of commerce recognized outstanding potential in each of them.
“Their creativity, curiosity, leadership and genuine commitment to service set them apart. As ambassadors for their communities and as emerging leaders for our state, these students remind us that Alabama’s future is in capable and inspiring hands.”
