Rowan Chamber Announces Youth Leadership Rowan Class #3
August 27, 2026
The Rowan Chamber of Commerce is proud to launch the third class of Youth Leadership Rowan, which officially kicked off with an orientation for parents and students on Wednesday evening at the Paul E. Fisher Gateway Building.
“We are incredibly excited to welcome this year’s Youth Leadership Rowan class. Every class has been uniquely different, and we are looking forward to another year of developing, inspiring, and empowering Rowan County’s future leaders,” said Dr. Alisha Byrd-Clark, Youth Leadership Rowan program coordinator.
Modeled after the Chamber’s long-standing Leadership Rowan program for adults, Youth Leadership Rowan empowers high school juniors to develop leadership skills, connect with community leaders, and gain a deeper understanding of Rowan County’s history, resources, and opportunities. The seven-month program offers interactive days focused on topics like local history, human needs, government, and communications.
The 25 students selected for Class 3 represent eight Rowan-Salisbury High Schools. Each student was carefully selected through a competitive application process based on their leadership potential, community involvement, and commitment to personal growth. The class includes:
Carson High School: Rosa Maira Perez Poot and Carson Pethel
Early College: Jaden Vracken, Renaad Elsaid, Zander Murff, William Trinh, and Brielle Young
East Rowan: Brock Monroe
North Rowan High School: Jerryease Ellis, Qu’are Greene, Emma Moreno, Jyarie Tillman, and Myles Witherspoon
Salisbury High School: Tre'Shyiah Chambers, Taliyah Freeman, Raymond Mosoco, and Azeriah Walker
South Rowan High School: Brayden Miller, Emilio Ruiz, Ashley Shell, and Nora Wheeler
Summit Virtual Academy: Aja Clement
West Rowan High School: Addison Broeckling, Ava Broeckling, and Laynie Ponczka
“Investing in young leaders is one of the most important things we can do for the future of Rowan County,” said Dr. Christine Lynn, president of the Rowan Chamber of Commerce. “These 25 students represent the incredible talent and potential we have in our community. Youth Leadership Rowan gives them an opportunity to see Rowan County from a broader perspective, build meaningful relationships with community and business leaders, and begin envisioning the role they can play in shaping our future. We are excited to learn from them, invest in them, and ultimately see them lead here at home.”
The program is planned and facilitated by Program Coordinator, Dr. Alisha Byrd-Clark, and the Youth Leadership Rowan Steering Committee: Nick Means, Gemale Black, Kaisha Brown, Dana Burris, Jodi Bailey, Margaret Antosek, Katelin Rice, Dr. Christine Lynn, and Sydney Murphy.
For more information, contact Dr. Byrd-Clark at 704-640-7254 or youthlead@rowanchamber.com.
