Murphy – The Mayor’s Rising Stars program met under the pavilion by the Rock Gym at Konehete Veterans Park on June 8.
The program aims to nurture the potential of 20 high school students in Cherokee County by preparing them for future roles in leadership. Various group activities help create bonds with others which in turn strengthens social skills as well as helping to promote critical thinking, problem-solving, self-esteem and confidence.
Students and leaders of the program gathered to share a lunch and honor one of their own.
“Ona Elkins has been a trailblazer for us – our very first Lead for N.C. Fellow/AmeriCorps member, and she set the bar high,” Mayor Tim Radford said.
“She quickly became part of the Town of Murphy family and brought real heart and leadership to everything she did, especially through the Mayor’s Rising Stars program. Thanks to Ona, a new generation of local youth now have the tools and confidence to lead.”
Elkins has all of her 23 years living in western North Carolina. She attended the University of North Carolina in Asheville, where she was president of the campus’s nonpartisan Political Science Club. From there she went to work with the General Assembly working for a local legislator, later applying for the AmeriCorps Lead for N.C. program. Elkins has a double major in political science and international studies, with a minor in Asian studies.
She will soon be leaving the area for Taiwan, where she’ll live for about a year.
“I want to continue the youth work I’ve been doing here. I really love working with kids. I want to spend a year abroad living in another culture and experiencing that,” Elkins said.
“I thought that going and teaching English to elementary school kids would be great. I want to immerse myself in the culture there and teach them about Appalachia and North Carolina, sharing my own culture with them.”
It’s still an anxious experience.
“Oh my gosh, I’m so scared. I’ve only ever lived in western North Carolina my whole life, so it’ll be my first time ever generally living in another place,” Elkins said. She previously spent two months living in Spain and a three-week stint in Japan.
About sending her daughter off to a different part of the world, “I’m not afraid, I trust Ona and her abilities to have the best time there. I’m very proud,” Clarissa Marshall said. The family plans a trip to Taiwan to see Elkins in the future.
Attendees to the going-away picnic for Elkins spoke of her involvement in the community and with the Mayor’s Rising Stars program. Radford presented her with a colorful throw of historical buildings in the Town of Murphy and a Cherokee County history book.
Each of the youth in the program also received a framed certificate of appreciation for their program participation and involvement in community projects.
A pizza lunch was organized by the young folks and generously paid for by pastor Ed Cook of Ogreeta Baptist Church, who also said a prayer prior to the meal. The weather was bright and sunny, and the mood was cheerful and fun.
Nancy Helms and Cathy Yost with the Rotary Club of Murphy have been instrumental in helping the Mayor’s Rising Stars program, which has 10 students involved. Other supporters and attendees to the picnic included Downtown Development Director Laura Lachance and Town Manager Chad Simons.
“While I’m excited about the new opportunity ahead of her overseas, I’ll truly miss her presence here,” Radford said. “Ona’s made a lasting impact on this community – and on all of us who had the privilege to work alongside her.”