Presented by:

January – May: This program is patterned after our Leadership Muskogee program. The Youth Leadership program fosters the leadership qualities and skills necessary for success in the workplace by introducing youth to the world of business and aspects of their community while assisting them in becoming informed and productive Muskogee citizens. This program is open to Muskogee area high school students in their sophomore and junior years. Participants attend one session per month from January through April, with graduation in May.

January 21, 2026 – Orientation

Youth Leadership Class 27, presented by TTCU Federal Credit Union, kicked off this week with an engaging and entertaining session led by Byron Jackson, who energized students while sharing valuable insights on leadership and personal growth. Participants also had the opportunity to tour Love Bottling Company, gaining a behind-the-scenes look at a longstanding Muskogee business. Thank you to Love Bottling Co. for serving as this sessions sponsor and helping make this impactful experience possible for our future leaders.

Session Two – February 18, 2026

Youth Leadership Class 27 got an inside look at how local government really works during today’s City-County Government session. Students from Muskogee, Hilldale, Fort Gibson and Warner Schools spent the day exploring the places where big community decisions are made.

They toured the Muskogee County Courthouse and the Muskogee County Jail, learning more about the justice system and public safety. The day wrapped up at Muskogee City Hall, where they heard from city leaders about how different departments work together to serve the community. They also participated in a Mock City Council to better learn how our City Government works.

It was a hands-on day that gave these students a better understanding of how their city and county operate and maybe even sparked some future leadership goals along the way.

Session Three – March 25, 2026

What a beautiful day for Youth Leadership Class 27.

During this months session, they learned about Quality of Life efforts in Muskogee. They got to hear from Director of Tourism & Exposition – Justin O’Neal, Director of Swim & Fitness – Kevin Anthis and Executive Director of Main Street Muskogee – Courtney Graham. They learned about what those organizations are doing to increase the quality of life in Muskogee!

They were also able to tour Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, Muskogee Little Theatre and Three Rivers Museum.

Session Four – April 22, 2026

Yesterday, the Youth Leadership Class spent the day at Georgia-Pacific, gaining valuable insight into today’s workforce. Students heard from Kristen Turley and Kiersten Bourquin of Georgia-Pacific, along with Kristi Stark of Integrity Staffing, who shared what employers are really looking for in job candidates.

To put those lessons into action, students participated in mock job interviews, helping them build confidence and sharpen their professional skills. The day wrapped up with a behind-the-scenes tour of the Georgia-Pacific facility, giving students a firsthand look at the workplace in action.

Graduation – May 4, 2026

Last night, we proudly celebrated the graduation of Youth Leadership Class 27, presented by TTCU Federal Credit Union!

Over the course of four sessions, we had the privilege of working with 27 outstanding students representing Muskogee, Hilldale, Warner, and Fort Gibson High Schools. From leadership development to community connections, this year’s class brought incredible energy, enthusiasm, and potential to every session.

A special thank you to our graduation sponsor, Connors State College, and our dinner sponsor, Bowden Termite & Pest Control. We also extend our appreciation to Byron Jackson and Dr. Ron Ramming for helping make this celebration so special.

Congratulations to Youth Leadership Class 27! We can’t wait to see the impact these future leaders will make in our communities!