More than two dozen people recently graduated from the sixth session of the Suffolk Leadership Academy.

The most recent crop of graduates includes: Julia A. Arline of King’s Fork Middle School, Richard S. Baker of Lake Prince Woods, Paul G. Burch of the Suffolk Police Department, Sarah E. Chambers of Nansemond River High School, Billy Chorey of Chorey & Associates, Tanya T. Deloatch of Suffolk Public Schools, Nila Devanath of Nansemond-Suffolk Academy, Matthew Flauter

of SunTrust Bank, Rahina Rabiu of King’s Fork High School, Lynette A. Grant of Eckerd Drugs, Cedrick Harris of East Coast Communications, Robert &uot;Lee&uot; Harrison II

of

BB&T Bank, Debra H. Hays of Just For The Health Of It Inc., Whitney R. James of Lakeland High School, David Jenkins of the Suffolk Police Department, Kristina Partlow of United Way of South Hampton Roads, Marcus R. Pollard of Commonwealth Preservation Group, Jnel L. Ritzler of Hilton Garden Inn and Suffolk Conference Center, Patricia &uot;Patsy&uot; Southard of the city of Suffolk, Shirley W. Synder of BB&T Bank,

Seth Tetrick of American Best Mortgage,

Tracie L. Thorndike of Nansemond-Suffolk Academy, Gene &uot;Stu&uot; Tyler of

Right of Way Acquisitions and Appraisals Inc., Robert &uot;Robbie&uot; Tyler of Alliance Christian and Lori L. Wilson of Ciba Specialty Chemicals Corporation.

A special event at this year’s graduation ceremony, held May 3 at the Hilton Garden Inn, included the unveiling of the Dr. George Barnett Award of Leadership Excellence. This award was named for Barnett, founder of the Suffolk Leadership Academy.

The first awards were given to Barnett and W. Ross Boone, who have done so much for the academy and the city of Suffolk, said Lt. Debbie George, who handled publicity for the academy.

The academy is sponsored by Suffolk Tomorrow, Paul D. Camp Community College, the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce – Suffolk and the city of Suffolk.

It is designed to develop and strengthen leadership skills for citizens desiring to serve the community in various roles and to foster a better understanding of the workings in the city and state government.

Sessions included instruction in the theory and the practical application of leadership by W. Ross Boone.

The topics covered included the history of Suffolk, local government, economic development and regionalism, tourism, agriculture, education and volunteerism.

Students also took a trip to the General Assembly in Richmond and a tour of Suffolk.

allison.williams@suffolknewsherald.com