ENID, Okla. — ROOTs is helping Garfield County students recognize the opportunities of tomorrow. The youth leadership program for junior and senior high school students presents career and life opportunities that Enid has to offer. ROOTs 2015 was held Aug. 10 and 11.
The program was founded in 1996 by several local residents interested in seeing Enid’s graduates stay home and help build the community. ROOTs gives the best and brightest area high schoolers a different perspective on their home town.
Participants met business leaders in Enid during the two-day, educational tour learning what the city offers for careers and quality of life. The students also participated in a networking opportunity with ROOTs graduates. For the first time, a ROOTs participant was awarded a $500 college scholarship. This year’s recipient is Chisholm senior Lexi Hemphill.
“Every year we try to improve the ROOTs program for the next year’s class. Thanks to our generous corporate sponsors, the most exciting change for this year’s participants was the ability to compete for a $500 scholarship at the conclusion of the retreat,” said Jennifer Kisling, ROOTs chairman. “Lexi is a tremendous young lady. We are happy for her.”
This year’s support for the program came from Triangle Insurance Company, Security National Bank, St. Mary’s Regional Health Center, Pioneer Telephone and Enid Regional Development Alliance.
Applications for ROOTs 2016 will be available in April. For an application, students should ask their high school counselor or visit here. Additional information and photos from this year’s retreat can be found on the group’s Facebook page.
