Georgia CTI Students Build Leadership, Confidence and Connections at Emerging Leaders Days
September 15-17, 2026, Covington, GA - More than 350 students from over 40 schools across Georgia gathered at the FFA/FCCLA Camp September 15–17 for Georgia CTI’s Emerging Leaders Days. Beautiful, warm weather provided the perfect backdrop for three days of leadership development, teamwork and personal growth.
Ms. Lynsey Singleton of the Georgia Department of Education led a workforce-readiness lesson focused on loyalty in the workplace. Students and advisers role-played scenarios exploring what loyalty means—and how to respond when colleagues or friends suggest that loyalty requires doing something wrong.
Students also completed activities designed to strengthen communication, decision-making and teamwork. During Cornflower Blue, students made choices with limited information and explained the reasoning behind their decisions. Other activities allowed them to practice verbal and nonverbal communication. The returning favorite, Paparazzi, brought plenty of laughter while uniting students around a shared goal.
The highlight of Emerging Leaders Days continued to be the Mud Course. Guided by the theme “Challenge by Choice,” students were encouraged to participate at their own comfort level while recognizing that everyone could contribute in some way.
Throughout the course, teammates helped one another through sticky mud, over high walls and back to their feet after falls. Regardless of how long it took, each team finished together, supported by cheers from teammates, advisers and spectators.
“I never thought I could do something like this,” one student said after completing the course.
Another student described the experience simply: “This is so gross, but I’m really glad I did it.”
Each day concluded with an exciting ride down the camp’s long slip and slide before students and advisers cleaned up and headed home—tired, smiling and more confident than when they arrived.
Georgia CTI helps students with disabilities develop leadership, self-advocacy, career-readiness and employability skills as they prepare for life beyond high school.
Georgia CTI extends deep gratitude to the FFA/FCCLA Camp staff for leading activities, providing delicious meals, and ensuring a safe and supportive environment throughout the event. Special thanks also go to the Georgia Department of Education, GVRA, and Lynsey Singleton for leading the workshop, and to the dedicated advisers, drivers, volunteers, and administrators whose support makes opportunities like this possible for students across Georgia.
CLICK HERE for photos from the event.
For further information, please contact:
Mary Davis Donahue
Georgia CTI Executive Director
(P) 678.617.0439 | (F) 706.314.9624
3 Central Plaza, #245, Rome, GA 30161
About Georgia CTI
Our Mission: To provide meaningful transition activities through leadership and employability experiences for students with disabilities in grades 9-12 identified through career, technical, and agricultural education courses in order to increase postsecondary outcomes.