“It is definitely something every Junior should do.” – Haylee Rickard, 2024 Graduate

FRANKLIN COUNTY JUNIOR LEADERSHIP

The Franklin County Junior Leadership Program is a ten-month program for only high school juniors through the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce. This program enhances a student’s skills in leadership, professionalism, communication, and team building. It also showcases what makes Franklin County unique while getting to know other students and community members from the entire county. Junior Leaders are required to participate in community service projects as a group. Through these projects, students will build relationships and truly become a team with a common vision and goal. Not only does it enhance cooperation among schools, it develops a greater sense of community pride. 

Applications for the 2025-2026 Franklin County Junior Leadership are now closed. Applications for 2026-2027 will open in February.

TWO Letters of Recommendation are required to be submitted with your application:
ONE from a teacher or counselor at your school & ONE personal reference (*NOT a parent or relative).


Letters of Recommendation Information:

Thank you for taking the time to write a letter of recommendation for a potential Junior Leader!
We appreciate having your insight during our application process. 

Topics we like to explore include but are not limited to:
How long & in what capacity have you known the applicant?
Are there any areas in which the applicant could improve or benefit from additional training?
How is the applicant’s ability to communicate with others?
Does the applicant complete school work or attend social appointments on time?
Is the applicant active in group participation settings?
Does the applicant have an interest in community affairs?
Do you feel this applicant has the potential for becoming a community leader?



What our graduates say about Junior Leadership:

“This program is more than just a program; it’s a family.”

-Dayaimi Valdez, 2025 Graduate

“Junior Leadership brought together individuals from various backgrounds, giving me the chance to form meaningful relationships and learn from others.”

-Alayna Tate, 2025 Graduate

“I hope that future Junior Leaders have the same amazing life-learning experience that I have.”

-Cesar Rueda, 2025 Graduate

“I will forever be grateful for the opportunity that Jr. Leadership has given me and will recommend it to underclassmen as it not only changed my perspective in life it also developed characteristics that I will most definitely use in my life.”

-Walfre Martinez, 2025 Graduate

“When I review my past year, the happiest moments have been serving with my friends at a Junior Leadership event.”

-Hudson Hutcheson, 2025 Graduate

“If you are debating on joining the Junior Leadership Program, I would say go for it. There is not a single bone in my body that regrets it, and I’m sure you won’t regret it either.”

-Maria Gonzalez, 2025 Graduate

 


Congratulations to our 2024-2025 Junior Leadership Graduates!

Download:
Download the 2024-2025 Graduation Slideshow with Quotes & the Photo Slideshow here.


 

2024 – 2025 Franklin County Junior Leadership Calendar of Events

Please note that the below events are subject to change. 
E-mails/Snapchat messages will be sent to keep you updated.

(Events listed in BLUE and YELLOW are MANDATORY with NO EXCEPTIONS!)

(Events listed in RED,  required to work a minimum of SIX events)



2024
June 15
OR
June
17, 20
OR
June 23
Parent/Jr. Leader Orientation | Russellville First Baptist Church (10:00 AM)

Parent/Jr. Leader Orientation | Franklin County Chamber of Commerce (6:00 PM)

Parent/Jr. Leader Orientation | Russellville Recreation Center (1:30 PM)
June 19 or 26Leadership Team Building – Bear Creek Collaborative | Overton Farm | Hodges (9 AM – 2 PM)
July 2, 9, or 10Leadership Skills | Franklin County Chamber Office (9 AM – 12 PM or 1 PM – 4 PM)
July 4Jam on Sloss Lake, Russellville
July 20Watermelon Festival Pageant, RCS Auditorium
July 27July Fest, Vina
August 16Franklin County Watermelon Festival, Russellville
August 17Franklin County Watermelon Festival, Russellville
September 28Founder’s Day, Red Bay
October 1Service Hours Due, by 12 p.m. (noon)
October 2 College Day at NWSCC (does not count as service hours)
October 5Pumpkin Palooza Scarecrow Trail | Downtown Russellville
October 12Spirit of Hodges | Hodges
October 19Spruce Pine Day | Spruce Pine
October 26Franklin County Latino Heritage Festival | Russellville
November 1-30Helping Others Month (canned food & coat drive)
November 9Veterans Day Parade | Russellville
November 18Farm City Banquet | A.W. Todd Centre, Russellville
December Christmas Parades
Dec 2 @ Red Bay | Dec 3 @ Vina | Dec 5 @ Russellville | Dec 12 @ Phil Campbell
(all parades start at 6:00 PM)
2025
January 6Service Hours and Scholarship Resume Due, by 12 p.m. (noon)
January 25Cattleman’s Association Banquet, A.W. Todd Centre
February 3Job Shadow Day (all day) (does not count as service hours)
February 12Government Day (all day) | State Capital, Montgomery (does not count as service hours)
February 13-16Bay Tree Council for the Performing Arts’ Dinner Show | Red Bay
March 13Franklin County Partnership Awards Banquet | A.W. Todd Centre, Russellville
April 12Easter Egg Hunts | Phil Campbell, Red Bay, Russellville
April 14Service Hours and Essay Due, by 12 p.m. (noon)
May 4Graduation Reception | A.W. Todd Centre, Russellville (2 PM)

Service Hours must be turned in by the above dates and times, one of the following ways:
BRING to the Chamber office, FAX (256.332.1740), or EMAIL ([email protected]).
To keep your resume up to date, be sure to take a photo or make a copy of your hours before turning in.


Please note, if you signed up for an event and that event is canceled, you WILL NOT receive credit for the event or for hours since you did not work the event.


For information or questions, please check your folders, E-mail, & Snapchat FIRST before contacting:

Cassie Medley 

Executive Director, Franklin County Chamber of Commerce

office: 256-332-1760

E-mail: [email protected]