Area leaders speak at Elizabethton High School’s “Cyclone Experience” event

ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. (WJHL) — Freshmen at Elizabethton High School took part in a course called the “Cyclone Experience” that focuses on several areas of students’ development, including servant leadership.

As part of the course, an event was held at the school Wednesday where several area leaders were invited to speak. Northeast Community College President Dr. Jeff McCord, Washington County Mayor Joe Grandy, Sullivan County Mayor Richard Venable and Carter County Mayor Patty Woodby were in attendance.

The group told students how they got involved in public service, and how it’s never too early for teens to impact their community.

One student, Kinslee Carder, admits she didn’t know who her county mayor was before today. But after hearing Mayor Patty Woodby’s story of humble beginnings as a waitress, to being just one of three women serving as county mayor in the state, Carder said she was inspired.

“There’s always a higher or better achievement you can make, and just to hear her story about how she’s got where she’s got is really encouraging to me,” Carder said.

Teachers at Elizabethton High said Carder’s reaction was exactly the response they hoped for. They also hoped students left the event knowing their young voices count.

Teacher Ginger Holderen said those leaders care.

“If they’ll just reach out, they’ll find out that they have a support group and that they’ll try to put some things together for the betterment of our community,” she said.

Initially, six county mayors had committed to coming, but last-minute schedule changes narrowed down the panel, but those in attendance seemed to have made an impact on students.

The Cyclone Experience has been around for a few years, but it was just revamped this year to include events like Wednesday’s.

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