More than 30 of Selma and Dallas County’s future leaders gathered Tuesday night for Youth Leadership orientation.

The program is similar to the adult version of the program but is tailored to teach the needs of students too.

“It mirrors the adult program a lot but not 100 percent,” said Callie Nelson, who oversees the program.

Almost 70 students from every local high school but one applied to be in the program, and a committee chose the final 32.

Nelson said the program tries to match the demographics of the county, but there weren’t many male applicants this year.

“What we try to do is make sure the program mirrors the population of the county, but we didn’t have a lot of guys apply this year,” Nelson.

The class is made up of mostly juniors with some seniors. Three assistants from last year’s class came back to help with the new group.

During Tuesday’s orientation, students got to know each other ahead of this weekend’s retreat at the 4-H Center in Columbiana.

“The orientation is designed to introduce students to each other but also for the parents if they have any questions,” Nelson said.

Starting in September, the class will meet monthly to explore issues like career development and financial literacy but also will learn more about government, criminal justice system, healthcare and community development in Dallas County.

“They have a full schedule,” Nelson said.

Members of this year’s class by school are:

Keith High School: Alyshia Boone, La’Porsche Callens, Brittany Dokes, Ja’Boski James, Kabrianna Powell, Jeffreda Shannon and Terkela Spicer

Meadowview Christian School: Alicia Deavers, Mason Allen, Sara Tepper and Peyton Williamson

Morgan Academy: Peyton Egbert, Hannah Free, McKenzie Horton, Kellee Scheer, Louise Stewart and Sarah Wagner

Selma High School: Robin Olds, Catera Pettway, Dashie Purdie, Shaina Relph, Antanique Tubbs, Shalonzia Tubbs and Tiffany Webb

Southside High School: Zy’Shawn James, Ja’Marques Johnson, Adrian McGuire and Ke’Andrae Rutledge