Youth forum teaches students about leadership

By Ruth Campbell

Midland Reporter-Telegram

Leandra Gilmore thought Wednesday was going to be dull. But things turned out otherwise. The Midland High School sophomore was one of 26 students from her school attending the John Ben Shepperd Public Leadership School forum at University of Texas of the Permian Basin. Gilmore and her peers are in the AVID program at Midland High. Students from Odessa, Greenwood, Rankin, Marathon, Denver City, Odessa Career Center, McCamey, Iraan and Kermit also attended.

AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination. It is a college preparation program. This is the first time a regional JBS youth forum has been held at UTPB, Public Information Officer Melanie Nicholas said. Having the event at the university also gets students on a campus -- probably for the first time -- and sparks that desire to go on to higher education.

 MRT link to the full story here .