The 2001 Annual Youth Leadership Expo was held on June 26-28 in Huntsville, Alabama, involving more than 200 youth and volunteer leaders from across the state. The Expo, held on the campuses of Alabama A&M University (AAMU) and the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), provided opportunities for state youth to showcase leadership skills acquired through involvement in various leadership programs and community service activities within their respective counties.
The Alabama Cooperative Extension System partnered with several local agencies, including the Huntsville-Madison County Chamber of Commerce and the Madison County District 6 office to sponsor this event. At the UAH campus, youth participants attended sessions facilitated by local professionals who offered networking opportunities and leadership expertise. The sessions concluded with a career fair featuring representatives from Huntsville businesses and government entities. Highlighting the expo theme, 2001 Youth Leadership Challenge: Preparing Tomorrow's Leaders through Community Service, community service projects were submitted for county competition. A banquet was held at AAMU's Knight Center to honor the winning projects. The first place winner for this year's community service project was awarded to Mobile County's teen leadership group under the direction of County Extension Agent Amanda Outlaw. The Jefferson County teen leadership group received the second place award where Cynthia Whitaker and Janice Harper serve as county agents for youth programs.
This event was very successful in providing youth participants with a broad range of educational opportunities to enhance and build leadership skills. Youth leaders must be engaged in development training, and be actively involved in community service activities and volunteerism to meet the challenge of leading in the 21st century.