A cadre of Columbia County high school students are heading to Atlanta on Wednesday to observe the operations of Georgia government.
Youth Leadership Columbia County, the Chamber of Commerce’s education program, is coordinating its annual Day at the Capitol.
Some 30 students of the youth leadership class, high school juniors and seniors, are to leave Columbia County at 6:30 a.m. Wednesday to visit the Georgia capitol. There the young participants will see firsthand how state government functions and be familiarized with both local and statewide issues that can only be addressed in the Georgia General Assembly.
While Governor Brian Kemp is not expected to appear, the youth leadership participants are scheduled to hear presentations from Tyler Kaplan, managing director of public affairs management and consulting firm J.L. Morgan & Associates; and Gretchen Corbin, president and CEO of the Georgia Lottery Corporation, on how funds from the lottery are used to help Georgians.
Augusta Technical College President Jermaine Whirl is also scheduled to speak on the technical college system of Georgia in general, and Augusta in particular.
Jodi Lott, Georgia House Representative of District 122, and Georgia Senator Harold Jones will participate in a staged debate for the students to observe.
The students will also engage in a scavenger hunt around the capitol building.
The Youth Leadership class is scheduled to return from Atlanta on Wednesday by the end of the school day.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering business for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
