(Gwinnett County)— Wanda James, professional school counselor at Collins Hill High School, in Suwanee, was recently selected as one of 12 Georgia chaperones to accompany student-delegates on this summer’s Washington Youth Tour, a weeklong leadership program sponsored by 38 of Georgia’s electric membership corporations, including Jackson EMC.

James devotes the majority of her time to her caseload of over 500 students at her high school. Before moving to Georgia, she was the Assistant Director of Admissions at East Carolina University for seven years. In 2000, she received her ED.S degree in Leadership, and she enjoys being an advocate for both high school and college level students. “I’ve had the privilege of working with young people for 32 years. Participating as an integral part of their lives, helping them achieve success and enhancing their leadership skills is extremely rewarding,” she said when asked about this particular trip. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling and spending quality time with my family and friends.

This year, EMCs in Georgia will celebrate their 49th consecutive year of sending high school students on the Youth Tour, dubbed the oldest leadership program in the state, for a fully paid week of learning about U.S. history, public and community service and the significance of the electric cooperative program.

This year’s tour is set for June 12-19 and includes 109 students, 12 chaperones and two Youth Tour directors. Georgia’s student delegates will join more than 1,600 Youth Tour participants from nearly every state.