07/27/2026
What an incredible start to the Junior Leadership & Career Academy (JLCA) Class of 2027! 🎉
We were excited to welcome this outstanding group of students to Peak Innovation Center for their Opening Retreat, where they began building the foundation for an unforgettable year of leadership, learning, and personal growth.
Throughout the day, students explored their individual strengths, got to know their classmates, and discovered the importance of collaboration, communication, and teamwork. These experiences will serve as the foundation for the next year as they grow into tomorrow's leaders.
A special thank you to our exceptional presenters who invested their time, knowledge, and encouragement in our students:
- Dr. Micki Voelkel, UAFS Center for Economic Development
- Col. Michael Krom, Logistics Readiness Squadron Commander, 188th Wing, Ebbing Air National Guard Base
- Deanne Hankins, Greater Fort Smith Association of Home Builders, who also generously provided journals for each student
We are incredibly grateful to our sponsors whose support makes this program possible.
Annual Program Sponsor: OG&E
Opening Retreat Session Sponsor: Ge**er, thank you for providing gifts for every class participant!
Lunch & Break Sponsor (throughout the year): Georgia-Pacific/Dixie, thank you for keeping our students energized all day and throughout the program year.
Your commitment to developing the next generation of leaders is making a lasting impact on our community.
The JLCA program is designed to educate and mentor a diverse group of high school freshmen from Sebastian County, helping them develop leadership skills, build community pride, and explore the incredible career and educational opportunities available right here in the Fort Smith Region.
The Class of 2027 is an exceptional group of young leaders, and we cannot wait to see all they accomplish over the coming year. It's going to be a fantastic year!
