METAIRIE, La. – On Wednesday, April 19 the Jefferson Community Foundation (JCF) honored the Jefferson Community Youth Leadership (JCYL) Class of 2023 at a Graduation Ceremony. After a few years on pause, the high school leadership program re-launched in September of 2022.


 
The program is open to high school junior and senior students in Jefferson Parish public, private, and parochial schools. The curriculum included an opening and closing/graduation ceremony, as well as instruction on relevant topics in key areas: healthcare, education, economic development, law enforcement/governance, diversity equity and inclusion, and community involvement. The free program gave students an opportunity to grow their leadership and teamwork skills.
 
A reflection from Eric Carter, Class of 2023 Graduation Speaker: “I have grown under the tutelage of this program simply by being around like-minded individuals. I am thankful to the people who saw that what I did and do, was deserving of being recognized and nurtured by a program of such renown as JCYL.”
 
Congratulations to the following graduates:
Urwah Abbas, Kenner Discovery Health Sciences Academy
Eric Carter, Archbishop Shaw High School
Brealle Coleman, Academy of Our Lady
Tralicia Edwards, Helen Cox High School
Avery Folse, Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy
Da'Sani Gourgis, West Jefferson High School
KeMora Johnson, Jefferson RISE Charter School
Emily Lamkin, Haynes Academy for Advanced Studies
Kevione Lewis, L. W. Higgins High School
Camden Newsham, Archbishop Shaw High School
Ross Parria, Fisher Middle High School
Elizabeth Ramirez, L. W. Higgins High School
Annabelle Rouquette, Crescent City Christian High School
Maxine Sterling, West Jefferson High School
Kate White, Crescent City Christian High School

The program was underwritten by Presenting Sponsor 1^st Lake Properties and Orientation Sponsor COX. Supporting Sponsors were Atmos Energy, Jefferson Business Council, and the Jefferson Community Foundation. Friend of JCYL was Inclusivcare and Graduation Sponsor was Cornerstone Chemical. Session sponsors included the Coulon Family Fund, Fidelity Bank, JEDCO, Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office, LCMC/West Jefferson Hospital, New Orleans Saints/Pelicans, and Red River Bank.
For more information on the Jefferson Community Youth Leadership program, contact Jefferson Community Foundation at (504) 264-1237 or visit www.jeffersoncommunity.org.
 
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About Jefferson Community Foundation: The Jefferson Community Foundation (JCF) is the nonprofit community foundation for Jefferson Parish dedicated to improving the quality of life for local residents, visitors and businesses by focusing on the needs of the community and power of philanthropy. For more information visit www.jeffersoncommunity.org.