Leadership Class of ’23 graduates

PRESCOTT – Thursday night was special for eight people as they graduated Leadership Nevada County.

Graduation ceremonies were held at the Senior Center, though not all of the participants were on hand as they had prior engagements. Part of the program requires those participating to split into groups and do a community project. This year, one group did some work at Hamilton House while the other did a Blessing Box at Rosston.

The group working at Hamilton House included:Beronica Parrish, James Gillard, Megan Horton, April Lovette and Tessa Oliver. Oliver said things there needed to be updated for those who stay there. The team met and talked about different ideas. Horton said the team opted to paint the porch, build a picnic table, pave a walkway and install lights in the flowers. Oliver said this was a good way to give back to the community and it couldn’t have been done without everyone in the group working together. She added Gillard did a lot of the fundraising, getting most of the donations.

Parrish pointed out the money left over from the project was donated to the Leadership program to be used for the next class.

Team two worked on making a blessing box in Rosston. This team was made up of Carlos VanHook, Shanta Wiley and Jennifer Robbins.Wiley said there were initially five on the team but two left the program. The group thought about it’s project, realizing Prescott has blessing boxes at Curry’s Outreach and Sonic, along with the Food Bank, and decided one was needed in their community at Rosston. The blessing box is where people can go and donate non-perishable food items for those in need. Wiley added the team was assisted by team one as the two teams worked together on their projects. Robbins said they got donations and the leftover donations will be donated to the Leadership program for the next class as well. She added the team plans to help keep the box stocked.

VanHook said Rosston’s mayor was excited to get the box, which is at City Hall where people pay their water bills.

Ivory Curry was the emcee. He said people don’t need to underestimate the need there is for food in this county. When a box is filled, he added, it’s empty two days later. He pointed out this year’s class wasn’t competitive, but worked together, setting a good example for future classes.

Mary Godwin, executive director of the Prescott-Nevada County Economic Development Office, said it takes a lot to make this happen and she was proud of those who helped. “Today’s world is even busier and it takes a bigger commitment than ever. The community has a lot to look forward to with this class.”

In talking about what they learned, they all agreed they gained a larger knowledge of Nevada County and developed what could be lifelong friendships. They also agreed it was fun and encouraged others to sign up for future classes.