Their T-shirts are bright blue with a circular logo lettered in white: Selma-Dallas County Youth Leadership topping a drawing of the Edmund Pettus Bridge.

The bottom line of the circles states “Building a Bridge to the Future.”

And so they are.

The Youth Leadership group was organized eight years ago and is presently directed by Carolyn Powell. Seven high schools are represented in the membership, which is selected by application for admission to the program and personal recommendations.

Meeting monthly, they enjoy hands-on they enjoy hands-on learning experiences about

municipal and county government, industry and business, tourism, Black Belt agriculture from these involved in it.

Tuesday, for Class VIII, was City and Government Day, beginning with a 7:30 a.m.

Continental Breakfast at Old Depot Museum and ending with a thorough briefing at the Dallas Courthouse Annex.

After breakfast, the members toured Old Depot Museum, then boarded a bright yellow school bus for a trip to City Hall, where Day Chairs were Jean Martin and Sheri James of the mayor’s office.

Kaye Jones, Facilities manager, conducted a tour of City Hall.

City Attorney Jimmy Nunn discussed municipal government from the viewpoint of law.

City Parks and Recreation Director Elton Reese talked to them about recreational facilities available to the city.

Then it was back to the bus for a windshield tour of the National Voting Rights Museum, Brown Chapel, Old Live Oak Cemetery, Sturdivant Hall and the Vaughan-Smitherman Museum, where they toured the building and enjoyed a box lunch on the grounds.

Next came a trip to the courthouse where Probate Judge Johnny Jones and members of the Dallas County Commission were present to great them.

Brett Howard gave an emergency weather management tour and commissioner Kim Ballard and Connell Towns explained county government.

Financial Director Nancy Wilson also gave a briefing.

The next meeting for Youth Leadership Selma-Dallas County Class VIII will be November 9, Industry and Agriculture Day.

Class members are Sanqueta Beal, Ben Callaway, Gayle Carlee, Seotis Carter, Aida Dabit, Hailey

Davis, Jalissa Ellis, Robbi England, Laquanda Fails, Monique Fails, Jennifer Grant, Daraius Guthridge, John Harrison, Natalie Hughey, Kanitra Lumpkin, Chasty McCants, Sellers McCurdy, Margaret McNeill, Jaclyn Mills, Krisdolyn Moore, Paula Oliver, Memendra Page, Allison Peak, Christie Reynolds, Rett Rivers, T.J. Sheehan, Ann Twardy, Cody Warrington, Effell Williams Jr., Jessica Willis and Elizabeth Wood.