Junior Leadership Bay has officially launched its 2026–27 program year, welcoming 25 high school students from 14 schools across Bay County for a year focused on leadership development, community engagement and connection.

The new class gathered for orientation on Sept. 15, beginning a program year that will give students an inside look at the people, organizations and institutions that help shape Bay County.

Representing public, private, charter and homeschool education, this year's class includes students from Arnold, Bay, Mosley, Rutherford, Covenant Christian, Palm Bay Preparatory Academy, The Collegiate School at FSU Panama City, St. Andrews Bay STEM Academy, Deane Bozeman, North Bay Haven Charter School, Rosenwald, Rising Leaders Academy, AMIkids Maritime Academy and homeschool.

The orientation was presented by Tyndall Federal Credit Union, a longtime supporter of Junior Leadership Bay and its mission to develop the next generation of community leaders.

Students also heard from Charlotte Pais, a former Junior Leadership Bay participant and current member of Leadership Bay Class 44, who spoke on behalf of Tyndall Federal Credit Union and shared information about the Junior Leadership Bay Scholarship.

Pais received the scholarship as a member of the 2020–21 Junior Leadership Bay class, bringing her experience with the program full circle as she returned to welcome and encourage this year's students.

During orientation, students received an overview of the year ahead and heard from Bay County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Al McCambry, Chamber Chairman Allen Armstrong and Bay District Schools Superintendent Mark McQueen.

Throughout the program year, students will have opportunities to learn more about Bay County while developing leadership skills and building relationships with other young leaders from throughout the community. The experience is designed to expose participants to different aspects of the community and encourage them to become informed, engaged leaders.

Meet the class of 2027

• Alexandra Stanford, Covenant Christian School
• Anthuane Diaz Dominguez, Rising Leaders Academy 
• Cameryn Hamrick, AMIKids Maritime Academy 
• Catherine Rodriguez, Bay High School
• Ella Preston, Bay High School
• Ellie Christopher, Arnold High School
• Emi Cozad, Arnold High School
• Emma Drummond, Homeschool
• Emma Crelling, Arnold High School
• Gabbi Jones, Arnold High School
• Haylee Shaw, North Bay Haven Charter Academy 
• Jackson Hatcher, Bay High School
• Jaleel Reed, Rutherford High School
• Javier McDermott, Rosenwald High School
• John Carl Tilghman, Mosley High School 
• Kirk Thomas, Rutherford High School
• Lucas Alverson, The Collegiate School at FSU Panama City
• Maleigha Battle, St. Andrews Bay STEM Academy 
• Natalie Tannehill, Mosley High School 
• Nathalie Tamim, Mosley High School 
• R.J. Briggs, Palm Bay Preparatory Academy
• Sean Smouse, North Bay Haven Charter Academy 
• Tanner Page, Mosley High School 
• Tylee Dauphin, Mosley High School 
• Vivian Dawe, Deane Bozeman High School

About Junior Leadership Bay

Founded in 2000, Junior Leadership Bay has graduated more than 400 students. The program provides local high school juniors with an opportunity to explore their community, strengthen their leadership abilities and connect with peers from schools across Bay County.

Junior Leadership Bay is a program of the Bay County Chamber of Commerce Foundation and continues the Foundation's commitment to developing leaders who are prepared to contribute to the future of Bay County.

Learn more about Junior Leadership Bay at https://panamacity.org/foundation/junior-leadership-bay/.