Alabama Teens Compete to Revitalize Hometowns at Summit

What if the future leaders who could transform struggling towns are already in high school, just waiting for someone to show them how?

That's exactly what happened at Huntingdon College this weekend. Twenty-three rising seniors from across Alabama gathered for the seventh annual Economic and Community Development Scholars Program, a three-day intensive that teaches teenagers the real work of building thriving communities.

The program is a partnership between Huntingdon College and the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama. Students were handpicked by their local chambers based on leadership potential and community involvement.

But this wasn't just classroom lectures. The teens dove straight into the action, splitting into teams and taking on the challenge of attracting a corporate headquarters to an assigned Alabama city.

Each team stepped into public office roles, drawing on their knowledge of their own hometowns. They created highlight tours showcasing their cities' best features. Then they pitched their plans to college president Dr. Anthony Leigh and other economic development leaders.

The winning team got the full treatment: a mock groundbreaking ceremony and ribbon-cutting, giving them a taste of what real economic victories feel like.

The Ripple Effect

Programs like this don't just teach skills. They plant seeds that could grow into decades of community service.

"These students are motivated, thoughtful, community-minded and eager to make a positive impact," said Dr. Leigh. The fact that Alabama is investing in teaching teens about economic development shows a commitment to long-term growth, not quick fixes.

Bria Rochelle-Stephens, who directs the Presidential Scholars Program, saw something even bigger. "The dedication and participation these students have shown during the program give me high hopes for the future of community leadership in Alabama," she said.

These aren't just college-bound achievers padding their resumes. They're young people learning that revitalizing a struggling town or bringing new jobs to a community is within their reach. They're discovering that economic development isn't some mysterious process handled only by politicians and CEOs.

When today's high school seniors understand how chambers of commerce work, how to pitch their communities' strengths, and why economic growth matters, they become tomorrow's mayors, business owners, and civic leaders who actually know what they're doing.

Seven years running, this program keeps betting on Alabama's young people, and they keep rising to the challenge.