Leadership Highlands
Class of 2024
Leadership Highlands Class of 2024,
is proud to present our class project,
Highlands County’s first
Born Learning Trail.
Born Learning is an engagement campaign of the United Way that helps parents, grandparents and caregivers explore ways to turn everyday moments into fun learning opportunities.
The Born Learning Trail is a series of 10 interactive signs that offer fun, active learning activities for young children and their families.
It helps parents, caregivers and communities create quality engagement opportunities when out on a stroll or visiting a local playground.
The Born Learning Trail is located
within the Sun ‘n Lake Recreation Complex
3500 Edgewater Drive, Sebring.
Many thanks to the Champion for Children Foundation for assisting with the purchase of the signs and supplies, and to the Sun ‘n Lake Improvement District for hosting the trail and assisting with installation.
The Born Learning Trail
is loving dedicated to the memory of
Timothy G. Lind.
Tim, the husband of our classmate, Liz Lind,
tragically lost his life in a traffic accident in February 2024.
Tim was a loving and dedicated husband and father, as well as being a respected youth leader at their church.
It is very meaningful to all of us to be able to honor Tim with a project that supports children and is connected with the United Way, where Liz serves as Highlands County Manager
About Leadership Highlands
The Leadership Highlands program has been developing local leaders since the pilot class graduated in 2000. The mission of the Leadership Highlands program is to develop leaders with a thorough understanding of, and strong sense of commitment to, Highlands County, Florida and an appreciation for the strength found in our County’s abundant diversity.
Leadership Highlands was founded and nurtured by the three Highlands County Chambers of Commerce (Sebring, Avon Park and Lake Placid) and select alumni, who comprise the Leadership Highlands Advisory Board. The program is coordinated through South Florida State College.
The goals of the program are:
Each graduating class includes an orientation in August, a retreat in September, nine monthly themed sessions that include an overnight trip to Tallahassee, and a graduation ceremony in June. Each class then designs and implements its own community service project.
For information about enrollment or participation, visit the SFSC website.
Class Members
Cyndie Carman Kramer, AICP
Highlands County
Class Vice President
Morris Adams Award Recipient
Class Leaders
Kris Juve
(LH Class of 2010, President)
LH Program Coordinator
South Florida State College
Dr. Mike McLeod
(LH Class of 2003)
Chair, LH Advisory Board
Program
Throughout the 10 months of our program, we visited various facilities and heard from representatives from numerous organizations in Highlands County. Our sessions were focused on the following subject areas:
Criminal Justice
Economic Development
Local Government
Non-Profit Organizations
Agriculture
State Government
Public Safety & Emergency Services
Education
Health Care
Arts & Culture
Team-Building Retreat at
Seven Sebring Raceway Hotel
Highlands County Courthouse
Highlands County Sheriff’s Office
City of Sebring
Sebring Regional Airport
New Testament Church & Mission
Highlands Lakeside Theatre
Agriculture Bus Tour
Costa Farms
Florida House of Representatives
Florida Supreme Court
Highlands County Fire Rescue
South Florida State College
HCA Florida Highlands Hospital
Graduation at Hotel Jacaranda
Acknowledgements
The Leadership Highlands Class of 2024 would like to express our sincere appreciation to everyone who made this experience possible for us:
“If your actions create a legacy
that inspires others
to dream more, learn more,
do more, and become more,
then you are an excellent leader.”