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May 2024 saw the end of the Chamber’s programming for Leadership Ponca City Class 37 with graduation and the amazing project Class 37 orchestrated. However, it’s just the beginning; Class 37 graduates are primed and ready to continue redefining and growing as new leaders in our community!
future leaders excel in their professional roles and make meaningful contributions to Ponca City. The participants not only learned strategies to help push them to become better leaders, but they also learned how they could make a difference in Ponca City. In addition to teambuilding, goal setting and leadership sessions, Class 37 learned about the history, nonprofits, industry, arts and culture, and education in the Ponca City area, as well as government at the local, county and state levels.
Part of the requirements of each Leadership Ponca City Class is to complete a philanthropic project that gives back to the community. Class 37 rose to the challenge and the idea for the Mr. Ponca City competition was the brainchild of the group. The class was laser-focused on thinking about a project from the time they collectively determined their core values and goals that were part of the curriculum activities. The class members were so inspired by the Civic and Human Resources session that they were passionate about planning a project to drive positive change for a local nonprofit.
Mr. Ponca City became the most intriguing new event in Ponca City with 10 contestants vying for the coveted title by representing a nonprofit of their choice. All proceeds from sponsorships and tickets went to the newly crowned Mr. Ponca City’s selected nonprofit. Each contestant had a donation box and rallied to raise funds for their nonprofit that went directly to their nonprofit and was part of the scoring for the overall crown. Each nonprofit represented received a donation, and the contestant raising the most funds in the donation box was named the “People’s Choice” winner. Class 37 raised over $10,000 in sponsorships alone and at the time this article was submitted, donation and ticket sales proceeds had not been finalized. On May 9, Relo Adams was crowned Mr. Ponca City and all proceeds raised through sponsorships and ticket sales went to the nonprofit he was representing, Dearing House! The contestant raising the most donation funds, and the “People’s Choice” winner, was Bob Banta, and his donation funds went to the Opportunity Center!
Class 37 was chaired by three amazing community leaders and graduates of LPC – Brook Lindsay, Class 20; Natalie Fraser, Class 19; and Sean Grigsba, Class 33. These incredible chairs guided and imparted their dedication to service and wisdom to Class 37. Chairs serve a three-year term with Leadership Ponca City, and Brook Lindsay passed her hard-to-fill boots off to the new incoming chair, Molly Kyler. Molly is an LPC Class 16 graduate. With a keen eye for innovation and a passion for empowering others, Molly is poised to contribute to the program with her fresh perspective and dynamic approach!
As we celebrated Class 37 at their graduation ceremony on May 7, everyone anxiously awaited the announcement of the Larry Hughes Leadership Award recipient. Larry Hughes was a longtime community leader, who passed away in 1997. Larry Hughes was known as the go-to person for help with any project that needed to be completed with exemplary standards! Each year the winner must have been a past participant in Leadership Ponca City and is selected by previous Larry Hughes Award winners. Receiving the 2024 Larry Hughes Leadership Award was Carey Head, LPC Class 3! Carey is a fierce advocate for those in need, and she goes above and beyond to serve in whatever capacity needed to improve our community. She is a strong advocate of Professionals Today, Marland’s Place, NERA, Dearing House, Survivors Resource Network, Hospice of North Central Oklahoma and the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce, to name only a few. One of Carey’s nominees said it best, “Carey supports Ponca City anyway she can because she wants to, not for the recognition, and if you were lucky enough to have known Larry Hughes, she is so much like him!”
Leadership Ponca City is a critically important initiative of the Chamber. LPC provides invaluable opportunities to learn from diverse perspectives, enhancing the class members’ leadership skills and understanding of our community to help build a pipeline of community leaders. Being actively involved in LPC demonstrates a commitment to social responsibility and builds trust among customers and stakeholders, positively impacting a business’ reputation and brand loyalty.
Ask any LPC graduate what the program means to them and you will gain great insight! Megan Sweeney of Class 37 noted, “Leadership Ponca City has been an amazing experience that’s changed my mind-set about Ponca City and as a leader.” Class 37 member Charles Rickman added, “In Leadership Ponca City, I‘ve seen how everyone plays a part in our community’s story, and giving back is our way of writing the next chapter together. It’s been eye-opening, showing me the value of networking and the fulfillment found in serving others.”
Nominate someone from your business or the community who would be a wonderful participant in Leadership Ponca City. Applications will be taken through June, and interviews for this prestigious group will begin in July. Nomination and application forms can be found on the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce Facebook page, in our email Blast, or a link to the forms may be requested by calling the Chamber Office at 580-765-4400 or a hard copy form may be picked up at 420 E. Grand.
For more information about the Ponca City Chamber of Commerce, please visit www.poncacitychamber.com.
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