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Kera Dorsey, a rising senior at Andalusia High School, was one of 25 high school seniors to attend the fifth Huntingdon College Economic and Community Development Scholars Program.

The two-day, one-night immersive experience took place on the historic Huntingdon College campus in Montgomery. The program, sponsored by the Huntingdon College Presidential Scholars Program and the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama, was designed to introduce young Alabama citizens to the importance of economic and community development in cities and the state.

Participants were selected by their local Chamber of Commerce and the Huntingdon College Presidential Scholars Program. Kera was nominated to participate by the Andalusia Chamber of Commerce. 

During the program, the students met and learned from Dr. Anthony Leigh, president of Huntingdon College; Jim Searcy, executive director of the Economic Development Association of Alabama, Paige Hutto, president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama, Nicholas Hadley, business development specialist for the Alabama Department of Commerce; Madison Haddock, economic development specialist Selma/Dallas County Economic Development Authority; Jess Skaggs, chief of staff for the Lieutenant Governor’s Office; and Bria Rochelle-Stephens, director for the Huntingdon College Presidential Scholars Program.

For a hands-on experience in economic development, the students were given a city in Alabama to represent as they vied for a corporation to call their community “home.” The winning team was highlighted in a groundbreaking and ribbon cutting ceremony at the program graduation.