Highlights and Accolades from the early years to 2010

• 1988 – Outstanding Male Athlete – Tim Watson

• 1989 - Outstanding Female Athlete – Kendra Watson

• 1990 - 1st place in T-shirt competition, 3rd place in Instrumental Music

• 1994 - 1st place in the Talent Show for Dramatic Interpretation- Monica Williams and Honorable Mention for Best Teen Outfits

• 1999 –Oratorical Winner - Dexter Nathaniel

• 2002 – Highest Teen Foundation Giving

• 2003 – Highest Teen Foundation Giving – 1st Place in the Nation, 2nd Place Outstanding Teen - Dexter Nathaniel, Attended Youth Leadership Summit in Washington DC with Tavis Smiley, Outstanding Leadership 3rd Place – Shakendra Graham & Outstanding Female Athlete 2nd Place - Ashley Williamson and Elected Regional Teen President – Dexter Nathaniel

• 2004 –Step Competition – 2nd Place, Outstanding Female Athlete - Melissa Eldridge, Outstanding Male Athlete - Chris Jamison

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Years 2010-2015

Over the past decade, leadership flows through the teen groups as well with the following serving at an elected capacity at the regional level: Vanessa Booker, Diane Watson, Susie Sconiers, Reginald Griffin, Marlon Moffett, Tamara Huff, Keri Obleton, Dexter Nathaniel and William “Trey” Odom, III. In 2010, Kalan Wilson was elected as Regional Teen Treasurer. In 2010, 2012, and 2014 the Columbus Georgia Chapter teens received 1st place recognition for the greatest financial contribution to the Jack and Jill of 15 America, Inc. Foundation.

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The 2015 Teen Conference held in Miami, Florida set the stage for continued “Excellence” by our teens. Wesley Tillman was elected as the Teen Vice President of the Southeastern Region. Also, the following teens and Mother’s received the following appointments and accolades during the conference:

• Southeastern Region Teen Sponsor of the Year - Mother Michelle Hawkins

• Nominating Committee (Appointed & Chair) - Joseph Wiley III

• Teen Advisory Board (Appointed & Chair) - Avian Baker

• Regional Communications Board (Committee) - Kaylen Long

• Step Show Competition - 3rd Place (after an 11-year hiatus)

• Teen contributions to the Jack and Jill Foundation – 2nd Place

• T-shirt competition – 3rd Place • Submitted art that was purchased to benefit the Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Foundation - Brittany Hawkins, Bruce Simpson, and Joseph Wiley III

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Years 2016-2021

The 2016 Teen Conference held in Atlanta, Georgia confirmed for the SER that the Columbus Georgia Chapter teens continue to set the bar high and rise to every occasion. The teens continued the pursuit of excellence during the 2016 Regional Teen Leadership Conference.

• Southeastern Regional Teen President (Elected) - Wesley Tillman

• Teen Communications Board (Appointed & Chair) – Brittany Hawkins

• Teen Advisory Board (Appointed) - Avian Baker

• Nominating Committee (Elected) - Brandon Mahone

• Step Show - 1st Place

• Community Service- 1st Place

• Foundation Giving Per Capita – 1st Place

• Flag Football Champions – 1st Place

• Highest Foundation Contribution – 2nd Place

• Theme selected for the 2017 Teen Conference - Mikayla Eldridge

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In July 2017, the COLGA teens traveled to Orlando, Florida for the 61st Annual Teen Conference where they created lasting memories. The teens were focused and determined to make history by taking home several awards and continued to set the bar high. The COLGA teens received the following awards and recognition:

• Step Show Competition – 1st Place (Repeat Champions)

• Talent Show Entry - Jessica Roberts

• T-shirt design – 1st Place by Tori Hicks and BJ Tillman

• Outstanding Teen Portfolio – Avian Baker

• Foundation / Philanthropic giving – 3rd Place

• Flag Football Tournament – 3rd Place

• Chapter Scrapbook – 3rd Place

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At the 62nd Teen Leadership Conference, Teen Robbie Tillman won for his 2018 Individual Portfolio for Male Athlete, and he was elected as the Southeastern Regional Teen Treasurer and in 2019 at the 63rd Teen Leadership Conference, the Columbus Georgia Chapter Teens were awarded for:

• Chapter Banner – 1st Place

• Service Project of the Year Award – 1st Place

• Step Show Competition – 1st Place

• Foundation Giving Per Capita – 2nd Place

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The accolades do not stop there, because in 2020 at the virtual 64th Teen Leadership Conference this happened!

• Teen Conference ceremonial opening with greetings from our own National Endorsed Candidate Kornisha Brown

• A total of 6 COLGA teens were appointed to Regional Committees. A COLGA teen on each committee!! Kudos to Alexandria Lofton, EJ Tymes, BJ Tillman, Gabriel Obleton, Lauren Baker and DJ Brown who represented the chapter. Some of them began work on their committees prior to start of conference.

• Our chapter video was shown during the plenary where COLGA Teens highlighted hunger and the organization Feeding America who J&J partnered with. The video was produced by President Jordan Brown and several COLGA teens were featured in the video.

• Gabe Obleton represented COLGA in the talent show with a song, written and performed by him!

• DJ Westside (Wesley Tillman, former Regional Teen President) was the conference DJ and was spinning from the Tillman basement for the opening reception and late-night party.

• Robbie Tillman, former Regional Teen Treasurer was on hand live in Nashville, to conduct the Senior Outing with the RTOs from 2019.

• COLGA won FIRST PLACE in Foundation teen fundraising once again---by a lot! Our #1 streak is extended!

• We celebrated our Seniors Isabelle Coleman and Alexandria Lofton! While there was no formal “gala” they were both present and accounted for in the tribute video and the “senior shout outs.”

• COLGA won 3rd place in the t-shirt and mask category! Kudos to Mothers Shannon Chambers and Zehra Malone for spearheading the committee to a WINNING submission!

• COLGA had a FIRST PLACE WINNER in Mr. EJ Tymes as Outstanding Male Athlete in the Senior 17 Division!!! Mother Roz compiled a beautiful submission that really captured EJ’s brilliant tennis and track achievements.

• During the Rally for Change event featuring Attorney Ben Crump, the video produced by President Jordan Brown on Black Lives Matter was featured on the program.

• Our own Regional Nominating Committee Gwen Edmond presided over what could have otherwise been an extremely chaotic virtual election and voting process for TC.

• COLGA was announced as FIRST PLACE winners in the Stock Market Challenge!! I believe the team that won was the younger group showing our younger children on the rise! It was a great way to close out the conference, with COLGA on top!!

• Barbara Joy Tillman took the prize of Southeastern Region Teen President!! After a live Q&A with questions from teens, a speech (twice, due to technical difficulties) a fishbowl question, and a runoff, she is the leader of the teens in the SER.

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In 2021 the 65th Teen Leadership Conference in Atlanta was another exciting and successful event. The teens were finally able to represent COLGA in person after the previous teen conference being virtual. Specifically, a big congratulations for the following awards, recognition and accolades to our COLGA Teens!! Congratulations to:

• Regional Teen President BJ Tillman for presiding and leading the Teen Conference in excellence as well as the beautiful T-shirt design!

• Michael Malone, the winner of a new award created this program year, “The Young Teen Mogul Award”. His entry was focused on his organization, Chattahoochee Valley Sibling Support Group! He also was awarded for the “Best Website” for his organization CVSSG.

• COLGA Senior Teens on the Foundation 3rd Place win!! #popcorn&masks

• Jessica Roberts on the superlative of being voted “Most Talented” by her SER peers!

• EJ Tymes who received MERIT recognition for Best Male Athlete, Division 2.

• Kayle Lewis for winning the Jolie Cooper Nelson award.

• Kayle Lewis, Jessica Roberts, and EJ Tymes were invited to the Breakfast of Champions due to their strong competition submissions.

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Also, COLGA Teens worked hard to ensure we were well represented on the following Conference Committees:

• Delegate - Anaya Lofton

• Alternate Delegate - Andrew Lewis

• Foundation Committee - Skylar Lewis

• Rules & Regulations - Darius “DJ” Brown

• Teen Advisory - Michael Malone

• Theme - Joseph Baker, II

• Teen Communications - Layla Albright

• Nominating - Charity McWilliams

• 1st Time Attendees - Layla Albright, Joseph Baker II, Skylar Lewis

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Years 2022-2023

Our COLGA Teens had a fabulous and successful 2020-2021 programming year and they continued in 2022! In the summer of 2022, the COLGA Teens attended the 66th Teen Leadership Conference in Birmingham, Alabama held June 15 - June 19, 2022. The 2022 theme was “Educated, Melanated and Highly Sophisticated” and COLGA had 20 Teens in attendance, and they represented as they always do!!

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This conference provided educational, social and diversity training to our Teens, our future leaders. The leadership training enhanced their interpersonal skills, increased their social awareness, and provided them with vital information to improve their problem-solving ability. They were encouraged to develop excellent communication skills and to embrace diversity and inclusion during a variety of workshop with topics such as: HBCUs, Black Voters Matter, Mastering Media, Moving with Confidence in Black and NonBlack Spaces, Creating Your Personal Elevator Speech, Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship, The Road to Leadership, Black Mental Health Matters, College Application and Scholarships.

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They also participated in the Southeastern Region Community Service Projects coordinated by our very own Regional Community Service Chair Crystal Pendleton-Shahid. The teens donated items to The Community Food Bank of Central Alabama (packed meals for the soul), Firehouse Ministries Homeless Shelter (packed hygiene materials) and A Friend of Mind (packed mental health wellness kits).

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COLGA Teens were recognized in a variety of ways:

• Senior Teen Treasurer, Darius Brown, Jr. was recognized for winning Southeastern Region Teen of the Month for March.

• Past Senior Teen President Anaya Lofton was recognized as a nominee for the Leaving a Legacy Award.

• Megan Taylor was recognized as a candidate for the Southeastern Region Nominating Committee.

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and they were asked to serve on many conference planning committees:

• Senior Teen Treasurer Darius Brown, Jr served on the Teen Advisory Board

• Foundation Chair Charity McWilliams served on the Foundation Committee

• Parliamentarian Joseph Baker, II served on the Communication Committee

• Recording Secretary Layla Albright served on the Rules & Regulations Committee

• Stacia Strozier served on the Theme Committee

• Lauren Baker, Senior Teen President and Otis Lofton III, Vice-President served as the delegate and alternate

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And finally, COLGA showed their competitive fervor and participated in many competitions and received the following:

• 2nd place in the Chapter Banner competition

• 3rd place in the highly competitive Chapter Step Show under the leadership of Regional Programming Co-Chair Shannon Chambers.

• They participated in the Scrapbook and Chapter T-Shirt contest, as well as Flag Football on Sports Day with the boys going 2-1-0 and the girls tying for the championship

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After a wonderful 2022-2023 programming year COLGA's Teens went strong into 2023! In the summer of 2023, the COLGA Teens attended the 67th Teen Leadership Conference in Hollywood, Florida held June 14 - June 18, 2023. The 2023 theme was “Black Excellence: Aspire to BUILD an EMPIRE” and COLGA had 31 Teens in attendance, and they represented with COLGA Excellence!!​

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The Teens were encouraged to develop excellent communication skills and to embrace diversity and inclusion during a variety of workshop with topics such as: Black Execellence Starts with You: The Art of Interviewing and Marketing Yourself; Breaking into the Athletic Empire: How to Become a D1 Athlete; Bridges that Expand Your Empire: Building Healthy Relationships and Boundaries, Safe Sexual Health, and the Art of Saying No; Building Your Foundation of Black Excellence: What You Need to Be Prepared for College, Manage Money and Live Away from Home; Empire State of Mind: Minding and Maximizing Your Metal Health; Policed While Black: Fortifying the Fortress When the Empire is Under Threat; Rich Empire, Poor Empire: The Road to Financial Freedom and What it Truly Means to Have a Rich Life; The Global Hip Hop Empire: The Foundation and Future of the Artistry of Rap.

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As in previous years, they participated in the Southeastern Region Community Service Projects coordinated by our very own Regional Community Service Chair Crystal Pendleton-Shahid. The teens donated items to children and teens facing receiving foster care services (packed duffle bags to be donated to Kinds in Distress, Inc).​

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COLGA Teens were recognized in a variety of ways:

• Senior Teen Chaplain Zion Daise was awarded The Outstanding Leadership Division I Award.

• Middle School Corresponding Secretary Quinton Smith was awarded The Outstanding Male Athlete Division I Award.

• Senior Teen Social Chair Megan Taylor was awarded Best Logo in the Young Teen Mogul Competition.

• Senior Teen Vice President William Taylor was a nominee for the Outstanding Teen Overall Award.

• Immediate Past Senior Teen President Lauren Baker was a nominee for the The Scholastic Achievement Division II Award.

• Immediate Past Senior Teen Treasurer Darius Brown, Jr. was a nominee for The Outstanding Leadership Division II Award.

• Immediate Past Middle School Vice President Isaiah Virgil was a nominee for The Scholastic Achievement Division I Award.

• Lauryn Caruthers was a nominee for the Outstanding Female Athlete Division I Award.

• Immediate Past Senior Teen Sergeant-at-Arms Robert "Deuce" Malone was recognized as a candidate for the Southeastern Region Teen Nominating Committee.​

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and they were asked to serve on many conference planning committees:

• Senior Teen Community Service Chair Joseph Baker, II served on the Teen Advisory Board

• Senior Teen Foundation Chair Jackson Close served on the Teen Foundation Committee

• Senior Teen Social Chair Megan Taylor served on the Teen Communications Committee

• Immediate Past Senior Teen Sergeant-at-Arms Robert "Deuce" Malone served on the Teen Theme Committee

• Matthew Hill served on the Teen Evaluations and Recommendations Committee.

• Otis Lofton, III, Senior Teen President and William Taylor, Senior Teen Vice President served as the delegate and alternate​

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And finally, COLGA showed their competitive spirit and participated in many competitions and received the following:

• 1st Place in the Chapter Scrapbook Contest

• 1st Place in the highly competitive Chapter Step Show under the leadership of National Growing Strategically Chair/Immediate Past Chapter Treasurer Shannon Chambers.

• They participated in the Chapter T-Shirt contest, as well as Flag Football on Sports Day.