By Eason Franklin
The Lowndes Signal

A Lowndes Academy student has been accepted into the Agriculture Leadership Education Academy (ALEA).

Eleventh-grader Richard Pate, Jr. has been enrolled into the interactive program and has been given the opportunity to earn dual enrollment at Auburn University.

ALEA is a partnership between the College of Agriculture, the Alabama FFA, the College of Education at Auburn University, and the United States Department of Agriculture. It is designed to provide an educational and developmental experience for chosen high school students.

The purpose of ALEA is to produce a unique  leadership skills of the students who participate.

According to Leadership and Student Development Coordinator Donald R. Mulvaney, a grant opportunity through the USDA was identified to begin a year-long program for students.

“We want them to go back into their classes, take some agriculture content and teach modules to non-agriculture audiences,” said Mulvaney.

Student participants will honor their commitment to attend the ALEA training sessions on April 22-24 and June 9-11.

ALEA will prepare and equip participants with the abilities and opportunities to grow their emotional intelligence, experience leadership and leadership education, develop advocacy skills and impact their schools and communities.

“Leadership is a trait that can be taught and learned,” said Lowndesboro Mayor Richard Pate, Sr.

Students in the academy will return to their schools and communities after the ALEA sessions to work on personalized list of commitments designed around an action plan to produce exceptional results.

These commitments will be a combination of personal action tactics and plans unique to each student’s community.

Interaction between the students and AU Mentors throughout the year will take place via videoconference technologies.

During the program, schools and students will realize multiple changes as a result of their personal leadership.

Applicants are still being accepted to fill additional seating within the program. Information for enrollment can be found at  www.ag.auburn.edu/adm/student/prospective/events/agleadershipacademy.php.