Odessa, Texas/January 14, 2026-The Odessa Chamber of Commerce recently kicked off Junior Leadership Odessa hosted by Odessa Regional Medical Center. 44 Odessa High School Juniors engaged in an intensive program learning about the inner workings of their community including local government, healthcare, business and other social services.
(Allison Gray, Marketing and Communications, Odessa Chamber of Commerce/Odessa, Texas)
“It’s for juniors across the community. We have representatives from all the schools across the area. Um, and so they get to see the back ends of Odessa and really get to see how, um, we run, and you know, how our community thrives”.
The Junior Leadership program helps Junior class High School Students to break out of their comfort zone and brings them to work together on projects collectively.
(Rebecca Tepe, Odessa Junior Leadership Program)
“It helps people get out of their shell and get to know different people. And I’ve seen it so far of, you know; you can kind of tell the ones that are a little laid back, kind of quiet, and I see them getting involved, and that’s great. You know, a lot of times kids need that little extra courage. Um, so they have been doing amazing all day”.
(Kaleah Lewis, Oceans Healthcare-YPO/Odessa)
“So, leadership is all about being able to work together as a team, and you got to get out of your comfort zone. You get to meet new people. You get to learn how they think and how they’re able to structure things. You get to ask the hard questions, and it just brings you together to be a better leader. It’s not about one person; it’s about a team of people to create the leadership”.
The 2026 Junior Leadership Odessa Program is made possible through the support of the Permian Basin Area Foundation and the local business community, that enables local students an opportunity to participate in this leadership development program.
(Mallory Hough, Odessa Collegiate Academy 11th Grade Student/Odessa, Texas)
“Getting into this program was really I was like looking at the itinerary. It’s like education, law, medical. So, it’s everything that I’m kind of like, what if? So being able to put my feet in and be like, oh my gosh, that really drew my interest or that really drew my interest, I think it will really help me in furthering my career”.
For more information on the Junior Leadership Odessa Program, contact the Odessa Chamber of Commerce.
For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera.
