On Monday we celebrated our Leadership Osceola Class of 2022 at the annual Leadership Graduation event at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

32 graduates, guests, day coordinators, sponsors, and Leadership alumni gathered in the Sorcerer’s Apprentice Ballroom at the Contemporary to celebrate the completion of another year of Leadership Osceola.  Following an application process last fall, the Class of 2022 kicked off their Leadership experience in February with a weekend retreat.  They then spent every other Wednesday through early June exploring and learning about all things Osceola County with experiences themed to government, criminal justice, the arts, health and human services, environment, and more.

At Monday’s event, the graduates filed in with Mickey Mouse before we heard  welcoming words from The Osceola Chamber Chairman Kevin Crain and Elizabeth Watkins, Government Relations Manager at host Walt Disney World Resort. After a tasty lunch, the graduates returned to the stage one by one to receive a certificate of completion from Kevin Crain, Chamber President/CEO John Newstreet, Leadership Osceola Program Director Sue Ring, and Brian Horton, President and General Manager, CEO of Leadership Osceola sponsor KUA.

Two newly-minted alumni of the Class of 2022 surprised the room by diverging from the program to present Chamber Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and Leadership Osceola Director Sue Ring with a thank you recognition.  Class of 2022 spokesman Anthony Cook, Coordinator of Career and College Services with the Osceola County School District, was not able to be present at graduation because he was already off pursuing his next stage of professional development.  However he recorded a shared a memorable speech reflecting on his time as a Leadership Osceola Participant.  Finally, Keynote Speaker Tim Weisheyer, CEO of Strategic Advantage Consulting, spoke about the value of taking an active role in your community.

Thanks go out to event sponsors Walt Disney World Resort, Kissimmee Utility Authority, MIDFLORIDA Credit Union, and REACH.  Please take the time to view some awesome photos of graduation from 2021 Class graduate LaVell Monger and RTW Photography.

The mission of Leadership Osceola County is to “prepare, inspire and support leadership for the improved future of our community.”  Read more about Leadership Osceola and be on the lookout for Class of 2023 applications next month!  For more info, reach out to Sue Ring at sring@theosceolachamber.com.