The application deadline for Selma-Dallas County Leadership Class XXII has been extended to Monday, June 15, giving more people the opportunity to apply for the community involved class.

Leadership is a great thing for Selma and Dallas County, bringing people from different occupations, ages and races together to learn more about their community and eventually develop a class project to do their part in bettering Selma.

During the program, participants will have the opportunity to go out into the community and visit different businesses, learning about the foundation of the city. During the meetings, they will be able to engage in conversations about various topics and in turn hear opinions from many different people.

Selma-Dallas County Leadership Class XXI recently held its graduation, where participants talked about what they learned and enjoyed during their nearly one year program.

Some mentioned how going to the different locations and business really opened their eyes to what other people in the community do on a daily basis and gave them a better appreciation for their city.

Others talked about the friendship that they made, whether it be with other members, or people that they met while participating in activities.

Although their favorite memories were not all the same, every class member did leave saying that they were thankful for the opportunity.

Leadership classes in the past have done wonderful things for our city and county, like hosting the Alabama River Chili Cookoff and helping with Dallas County Relay for Life, and we are looking forward to what future classes will do to help the Queen City.

For people that are new to Selma, the class offers a way to meet people and see what all the city has to offer. For those that have lived here their whole lives, the program opens new doors and gives them a chance to learn about things they didn’t even know Selma had.

We encourage anyone wanting to learn more about the city they live in to apply for this wonderful opportunity.

For more information about the class or how to apply, contact Callie Nelson at the Dallas County extension office at (334) 875-3200.

Members will meet on the second Thursday of each month at varying locations to hold discussions and learn ways to help the city of Selma.

One session will be held in Montgomery along with the Youth Leadership program and other Black Belt Leadership programs on State Government Day, March 8, 2016.

The first class session and orientation to the program will be Friday, July 17.