Developing skills that inspire change was the central theme at the 2024 Alfa Youth Leadership Conference, held on November 4-5 under the guidance of Alabama Farmers Federation Ag Leadership Programs Director Hunter McBrayer. Over 80 Alabama high school freshmen and sophomores gathered at the Alabama 4-H Center in Columbiana to build leadership skills that they will carry back to their homes, schools, and communities.
For students like Calhoun County’s Miller Spencer, a sophomore at Alexandria High School and vice president of his FFA chapter, the conference was an invaluable opportunity. “Leadership is the most important skill someone can have because it impacts every single social interaction in life,” Miller said. “I appreciate opportunities to advance my leadership abilities. Alfa Youth Leadership Conference is one of the best ways to do that.”
The two-day event offered team-building exercises, expert-led leadership workshops, and sessions designed to help students foster meaningful relationships with each other. Speakers included leadership consultant Rhett Laubach and Alfa Insurance Leadership Consultant Nicole Pinkham, who emphasized the unique potential of each participant. “You were chosen to be here because someone saw something in you and believed in you,” Pinkham told the students.
In addition to leadership training, the teens participated in a character-building service project, assembling Christmas toys for patients at Children’s of Alabama. The activity underscored the message that leadership involves making a positive impact on others.
McBrayer expressed hope that attendees left feeling empowered to bring positive change to their communities. “We have a responsibility to educate and help our young people grow,” he said. “We want to encourage our students to wake up every day ready to make a difference.”
