In this episode of the Ponca City Monthly Podcast, Andy sits down with Angela Rickman and Derion Schieber, two dynamic members of the Ponca City Leadership program, to discuss their latest initiative—the Ponca Passport. The conversation starts with Angela and Derion sharing their extensive community involvement, motivations for joining the leadership program, and the unique paths that brought them into local civic engagement.
The episode explores the purpose and structure of the Ponca City Leadership program, highlighting how it cultivates emerging leaders by immersing participants in various aspects of the community, from nonprofit organizations to city operations and local businesses. Angela and Derion reflect on their personal growth through the program, the value of networking, and the strong bonds they've formed with fellow participants.
A major focus is the Ponca Passport, the 2025 class project designed to encourage both residents and visitors to explore Ponca City's hidden gems. The passport features diverse categories, like arts, recreation, nonprofits, and health/wellness, to promote pride in local institutions and inspire volunteerism. Angela and Derion explain how their class wanted to "do it all" and developed the passport as a way to cover multiple facets of community life. They share behind-the-scenes insights into organizing the project, from breaking into committees (design, categories, prizes) to collaborating with local businesses and sponsors to keep the passport free and accessible.
The discussion also touches on unexpected successes, such as a local school using the passport as a class project, which broadened its impact beyond Ponca City. Angela and Derion emphasize the lasting importance of leadership and their hopes that the passport becomes an annual tradition that continues to evolve, possibly even inspiring multi-year collectors and involving younger generations.
They also give all the participation details: passports are available at the Ponca City Library and Chamber of Commerce, with clear instructions for collecting stamps, sharing photos, and entering prize drawings. Angela and Derion credit their leadership classmates and local sponsors for making the project possible and stress that the ultimate goal is to deepen community pride and involvement.
The episode wraps with a forward-looking vision of how the Ponca Passport can grow into a lasting fixture of Ponca City culture, celebrating both its rich history and the people who work tirelessly to keep the community vibrant.
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