Youth Excel learn secrets of success from commissioners

Members of the Randolph County Youth Excel group visit with county commissioners last Thursday to learn more about government and leadership. The group is pictured from the left, front row, Kathryn Hall, Higbee; Jessica Schlachtele, Higbee; Allye Jorgensen and Sadie Appling, both of Moberly; back row, Suzanne Heddinghaus, Moberly; Commissioner Wayne Wilcox; Mark Skidmore, Higbee; Lauren Bell, Moberly; Mark Loeber, Moberly; Michael Couey, Higbee; Presiding Commissioner Susan Carter; Davis Keleher, Chance Drewery, Sarah David, Trent Snodgrass, all of Moberly; and Commissioner Randy Asbury in back. Not pictured is sponsor Dr. Thomas Fuhrman, county program director for the University of Missouri Extension

“Never be afraid to take a chance. Embrace challenge, embrace opportunity. Work hard and do everything your supervisor tells you to get to the top of your game.”

This is what County Commissioner Randy Asbury advised the Excel Youth group on Thursday, February 25.

The Excel Youth Group is comprised of high school juniors and seniors from Moberly and Higbee. Excel travels around the area talking to and learning about government officials and other community leaders about what it takes to be a leader.

Part of being a leader, of course, is learning how to deal with failure. Thomas Edison himself experienced failure frequently as his inventing started out.

“I did NOT fail. I just found 1,000 ways that did not work.”

Randy Asbury, who is running for state representative, agreed with this statement further adding, ” Learn to embrace your failures. They’ll be your greatest education.”

County Commissioner, Susan Carter, had much to say about the terms of succeeding. She’s experienced this very much. By the age of 22 she was working for CBS in Dallas. As a world traveler outside of work, Carter can relate to high schoolers wondering about the world around them.

“Life is boring if you’re not learning something all the time, ” explains Carter.