CANTON, GA (March 28, 2025) – The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the graduates of the 24th Annual Teen Leadership Cherokee Class. The participants, all high school sophomores who live in Cherokee County, initially attended an Orientation with their parents along with a Retreat designed to connect them with their classmates as well as ignite their interest in leadership. Over the next two months, the 20 class members developed a sense of community while discovering the impact of teamwork upon their peers, their schools, and Cherokee County.

The class chose Carlynn Puckett, Cherokee High School, as the group’s most Outstanding Leader. They also selected Brian Devedzhiev, Etowah High School, as their class spokesperson who shared program highlights during the graduation ceremony. The Teen Leadership Cherokee Class of 2025 Chair, Stephanie Villasenor with Cherokee Family Violence Center, was recognized for her volunteerism and support of youth in our community.

The purpose of the Teen Leadership Cherokee program is for participants to learn to L.E.A.D. (lead, engage, aspire, and drive), so they may confidently become our community’s next generation of leaders. These efforts were made possible this year by the generous support of program sponsors Allegro Business Products, Chattahoochee Technical College, Cherokee Family Violence Center, Cherokee Recreation and Parks, City of Canton, Cobb EMC, Delta Community Credit Union, Harmony Orthodontics, Reinhardt University, and State Farm Insurance Jey Willis Agency. Applications for the Teen Leadership Cherokee Class of 2026 will be accepted this fall.

The mission of the Cherokee County Chamber, a Georgia Certified Chamber of Commerce, is to promote business to expand the economy and enrich the community. For information on the Chamber and its programs, visit www.CherokeeChamber.com.

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First Photo

Front Row (l to r): Micayla H.; Colette C.; Leigha S.; Melody D.; Emma W.; Eliza I.; Kavya D.; Ava H.; Lila S.; Meredith R.

Second Row (l to r): Todd Hayes, TLC Vice-Chair, Cherokee County Office of the Solicitor-General; Carlynn P.; Maanas B.; Viet Q.; Manik D.; Brian D.; Quintin A.; Jasem A.; Matthew S.; Samuel M.; Marissa B.; Stephanie Villasenor, TLC Chair, Cherokee Family Violence Center, Inc.

Second Photo

(l to r): Todd Hayes, TLC Vice-Chair, Cherokee County Office of the Solicitor-General; Carlynn P., TLC 2025 Outstanding Leader; Brian D., TLC 2025 Class Spokesperson; Stephanie Villasenor, TLC Chair, Cherokee Family Violence Center, Inc.