SHREVEPORT, La. – Forty high school students from across Caddo Parish were honored May 7 at the Petroleum Club for completing the inaugural Greater Shreveport Youth Leadership Program, a year-long initiative launched by the Greater Shreveport Chamber and Caddo Parish Public Schools (CPPS) to cultivate the next generation of civic and business leaders.
The program, which ran from September through May, provided high school juniors and seniors with unique insights into their community, opportunities to network with leaders across various industries, and hands-on leadership training designed to foster personal growth and professional development.
“Caddo Parish Public Schools is proud to partner with the Greater Shreveport Chamber for the inaugural Youth Leadership Program,” said CPPS Superintendent Keith Burton. “This program provided an opportunity for participants to learn more about our community and the role they can play in shaping a better future for our parish.”
The program was modeled after the Chamber’s long-standing Greater Shreveport Leadership Program for adults, which began in 1977. The youth-focused version included nine full-day sessions covering topics such as local government, education, media, healthcare, military service, and state politics. Students participated in leadership simulations, toured Barksdale Air Force Base, visited Baton Rouge to meet with state lawmakers, and explored career and education pathways.
“Having seen the impact that our adult Leadership Program has had on building community-minded leaders, we knew it was time to offer that same transformational experience to our young people,” said Dr. Tim Magner, President of the Greater Shreveport Chamber. “We hope this program inspires them to envision themselves as part of Shreveport’s future.”
Class of 2025 Graduates – Greater Shreveport Youth Leadership Program:
Booker T. Washington
- MaKayla Hopkins
- Aniyah Lewis
- Zari Floyd
C.E. Byrd
- Ellissa Bryant
- Lauren Huguet
- Cynthia Cooper
Caddo Magnet
- Pinky Arcamo
- Salias McCulloch
- Tripp Lowry
Caddo Virtual Academy
- Micah Brannigan
- O.L. Green
Captain Shreve
- Taylor Washington
- Jack Pattillo
Green Oaks Academy
- Cavon Foster
- Zion Washington
Huntington
- Arin Carroll
- Elliott Fuller
- Ja’Kaitlyn Jones
North Caddo High
- Michael Carroll
- David Gallagher
- Kambria Smith
Northwood
- Hannah Clarke
- Brexton Lopez
- Madison Pate
Southwood
- Ian Anthony
- Cedreanna Cotton
- Tationne Bell
- Madison Willis
Woodlawn
- Aleigha Brown
- JoAnna Hayes
- Marquita Harris
- Braylon Wells
- Reagan Swan
- Samuel Wilson
- Gabriel Johnson
- Adam Miller
- De’Asia Griffin
- Keleah Tucker
A recap video of the 2024–2025 program is available for viewing at: https://youtu.be/o0W35zeniC0