UPDATE: On November 10, 2025, 28 high school students from across Georgia celebrated their graduation from the transformative Youth LEAD Georgia program, a collaboration between the University of Georgia and Chick-fil-A. The ceremony, hosted at Trilith Studios in Fayetteville, marked an incredible milestone in leadership development and civic engagement for these young leaders.
Throughout the past year, these students engaged in a rigorous program featuring leadership sessions, local business interactions, and a dynamic weeklong bus tour across the state, culminating in a summer summit that united over 150 youth. This year’s graduates include notable names like Holden Walton from Valdosta and Mia Burnett from Sale City, showcasing diverse talent from 28 counties.
Thanks to a generous $1.5 million pledge from Chick-fil-A, the program is completely free for participants, ensuring accessibility for students from all backgrounds. This funding is a crucial lifeline, enabling youth to embrace leadership without financial barriers.
At the graduation, select students were honored with the prestigious Bullard Community Champion grants, designed to empower them to launch service projects in their local communities. Funded by Rodney Bullard, CEO of The Same House, and Regions Bank, these grants support innovative, youth-led initiatives that tackle pressing community needs. Among the nine recipients was Holden Walton, further underscoring the program’s impact.
This program not only fosters leadership skills but also instills a sense of responsibility and civic engagement in its participants. As these young graduates step into their roles as community leaders, they carry with them a commitment to effect positive change in Georgia.
The future looks bright for these graduates, and their next steps will be watched closely as they implement their service projects and continue to grow as leaders. The legacy of Youth LEAD Georgia is set to expand, ensuring that the voices of Georgia’s youth are heard and valued.
Stay tuned for more updates as these inspiring young leaders embark on their journeys.
