Youth Leadership Atmore’s 2019 class has been selected, according to officials.

YLA Coordinator Jodi James said there are 16 class members, and all hail from Atmore Christian, Escambia Academy, Escambia County High, Northview, JU Blacksher and two from home school.

The class members include: Addison Albritton, Andrew Shelly, Anna King, Anna Ruth Smith, Ansleigh Maholovich, Chaz McGhee, DiJon Crenshaw, Gaines Tanner, Imogene Flavors, Jace Weber, Jadon Torres, Jayla Barron, Jordan Talmage, Madelyn Smith, Nakieyah Robinson and Savannah Spence.

This is the 24th year of YLA, and the program lasts between seven to nine months. Graduation is in late April.

Throughout the year, the 16 juniors from area schools will meet once a month to learn about the history of Atmore, for group tours of businesses and industries and will visit a two-year college to learn about education opportunities after high school, to name a few.

James said they were originally going to kick off the year on Oct. 9-10 at Camp Beckwith, but Hurricane Michael canceled those plans.

Instead, the YLA class will begin its year on Oct. 24 for a day of service, James said.

“That’s where they give back to the community,” she said. “The plan is to do breakfast for the police department. Then, they will get to know each other and it will be hosted at Strand.”

James said during the first session, the class will elect officers and participate in get-to-know-you activities.

James said the December session is all about the history of Atmore and Poarch; January will be the interview portion at United Bank; February is an education session; March is about business and industries; April is government day, where the class will tour the capital in Montgomery; and May will be graduation.

James said she wants to keep the sessions all about Atmore.

“I want to keep this all Atmore based,” she said. “Atmore has so much to offer that I think some of these kids don’t know all about it.”