Sixteen outstanding citizens of Grundy County completed an important milestone as they graduated from Leadership Grundy on May 22. The graduation ceremony was held at the Grundy County Armory Building in Monteagle and began at 6 p.m. The program included a wonderful catered meal, guest speaker, presentation of plaques, and an introduction of the 2026 Leadership Grundy project. Vallie Collins, of Maryville, was the keynote speaker for the evening. She brought a message of inspiration and motivation as she encouraged the graduates to be thankful for each day and how each of us should appreciate the small things in life. 

The Leadership Grundy graduates worked extremely hard in their commitment to Leadership Grundy this year as they began the program in late September 2025 in which they attended eight consecutive monthly sessions until graduation. These sessions included topics such as: leadership development, team building, community agriculture, communications, local education, state and local government, community and economic development, tourism, and much more. The Class of 2026 also completed a service project which entailed of the entire class raising more than $11,000 in funds and donations to be used towards reconstructing the pole barn at the Grundy County Saddle Club in Tracy City that was destroyed by the storms.

The overall mission of Leadership Grundy is to identify, educate, and motivate participants of the program to better develop leadership skills that will enhance the future and improve the quality of life throughout Grundy County. The adult leadership program strives to assist citizens with the development and training for leadership roles. Special provisions are made to provide a practical and educational understanding of the problems and opportunities facing our communities and state. Leadership Grundy creates a communication network among people of diverse backgrounds and interests from all areas of Grundy County to meet and share experiences or ideas. The program also encourages increased responsibility and commitment to participants’ local communities, and to the larger community of Grundy County. More than two hundred citizens of Grundy County have completed the program.  Applications are currently being taken for the Leadership Grundy 2027 program. The first program session will begin this fall. For more information about Leadership Grundy or to obtain an application for enrollment in the program, you may log on to: https://www.leadershipgrundy.com/ or contact the UT/TSU Extension, Grundy County Office, at 931-592-3971. 

Written and submitted by UT Extension Agent Creig C. Kimbro.