CHILDERSBURG, Ala. – The inaugural Young Professionals graduation ceremony, hosted by the Greater Coosa Valley Chamber of Commerce, celebrated a year of growth and achievement on Monday morning, March 11.
Chamber President John-Mark Freeman extended a warm welcome to attendees of the event which featured distinguished speakers such as Paige Hutto, the President and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama, Dr. Suzanne Lacey, the Superintendent of Talladega County Schools, and Bruce Hunt from the Kiwanis Club of Childersburg.
“This was the first year that we’ve done anything like this from our Chamber,” Freeman expressed. “I want to say ‘Thank you so much’ to our partners. I’m so thankful to everyone who helped make this possible.”
Eleven students were commemorated at the ceremony including Childersburg High School’s Aubrey Foy, Vaughan Reynolds, Harley Nix, DeQiyo Marbury, Giovanna Guerrero, Zaria Hampton, and Kara Williamson along with Fayetteville High School’s Thomas Barrett, Maggie Brooks, Madilynn McMinn, and JonBrady Buttram.
Highlighting the occasion were the announcement of the 2023-2024 Young Professionals Scholarship recipients, Giovanna Guerrero and Maggie Brooks.
“Young Professionals has allowed me to branch out and see new things when it comes to the workforce,” said Guerrero, a junior at CHS. “[The program] gave me the opportunity to get hands-on experience.”
“Young Professionals is an organization of young men and women that have the ability to be creative, collaborative, and confident,” FHS senior Maggie Brooks added.
Coosa Pines Federal Credit Union was acknowledged as the 2023-2024 Student Sponsor.
Throughout the year, the Young Professionals actively contributed to various community events and organizations, gaining invaluable life and business experiences.
Their dedication was evident in their involvement with CoosaFest 483, the Childersburg Christmas Parade, and the 2024 Hall of Fame Banquet, as well as their service at local institutions such as the Childersburg Police, Fire, and Rescue Departments, Nemak, Bates Industrial, Central Alabama Community College, the Kymulga Grist Mill, Coosa Valley Medical Center, and Majestic Caverns.
