By Oniska Blevins | The Selma Times-Journal

The deadline is quickly approaching as the Selma-Dallas County Chamber of Commerce prepares to sponsor one local student for the Huntington College Economic and Community Development Scholars Program.

The program is intended for local high school juniors and rising seniors, who have a 3.4 grade point average or above and are interested in the business or public service fields.

As a requirement for consideration, the students will have to write a 300-500 word essay and address the following question: “Where do you see Selma and Dallas County in 10 years, and what strategies for community and economic development do you see as being the most successful here?”

All essay submissions should be submitted to the Selma Dallas County Chamber of Commerce, located at 912 Selma Ave., or emailed to charise.clay@selmaalabama.com by Friday, March 2.

The student with the winning essay will be granted the chance to travel to Montgomery for the program from June 11-13, and stay on Huntington’s campus at the expense of the Chamber. Transportation to Montgomery would be the student’s only expense.

During the program, students will have the opportunity to tour a manufacturing plant, downtown Montgomery and speak with political leaders in the community.

Sheryl Smedley, executive director of the Selma-Dallas County Chamber of Commerce, said this is an opportunity that rising seniors should take advantage of.

“This program is an excellent opportunity to expose one of our exceptional student leaders to the world of economic and community development,” she said. “Any rising senior with business, civic affairs, or public service will find this program not only engaging and interesting, but of great benefit to their professional trajectory.”

Smedley said this type of program is important because there is a need to encourage young people to go back to their hometowns and work after graduation from college. She said few local residents throughout Alabama come back home and work in their desired fields, however they travel and work in other cities and states.

“We feel like this would give them an eye-opening experience to see what’s available for them to do right here in their home state.” Smedley said.

For more information contact the Selma Dallas County Chamber of Commerce at (334) 875- 7241 or email Charise Clay at charise.clay@selmaalabama.com.