Montgomery – Rising high school seniors, Abba Crumpton of Fayetteville High School, Allaster Hay of B.B. Comer High School, and Hayden Hubbard of Sylacauga High School, were three of twenty-three high school students representing seventeen Alabama Chambers of Commerce to attend the seventh Huntingdon College Economic and Community Development Scholars Program. Abba, Allaster, and Hayden represented the Sylacauga Chamber of Commerce.
The three-day, two-night event was hosted by Huntingdon College in partnership with the Huntingdon College Presidential Scholars Program and the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama. The annual program introduces students to the importance of economic and community development across Alabama on a state and local level.
To receive first-hand experience in economic and community development, the students were divided into teams and assigned a city in Alabama to represent. The students were tasked with assuming public office identities and using their knowledge of their hometown to vie for a corporation to make their headquarters in the city. After completing assignments in the project, including creating a town highlight tour, the teams gave their final pitch to President Leigh and guests. The winning team was highlighted in a groundbreaking ceremony and ribbon cutting ceremony after the final presentations on Friday.
Huntingdon College President Anthony Leigh shared high praise for the students stating, “Each year, this program brings together some of the most promising young leaders from high schools across Alabama, and this year’s cohort is no exception. These students are motivated, thoughtful, community-minded, and eager to make a positive impact. They represent the very best of their schools and hometowns, and it is clear that their local Chambers of Commerce recognized outstanding potential in each of them. Their creativity, curiosity, leadership, and genuine commitment to service set them apart. As ambassadors for their communities and as emerging leaders for our state, these students remind us that Alabama’s future is in capable and inspiring hands.”