While most high school students across the county are soaking up the last few weeks of summer vacation, one Bryan County High School student is taking time to work on her leadership skills.
Melissa Campbell, a rising junior at BCHS, was recently selected out of 50 high school students across the nation to attend Four Star Leadership, a program hosted by former Commander-in-Chief of American and coalition forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, Gen. Tommy Franks.
The conference, held annually in Oklahoma City, Okla., at Oklahoma Christian University (OC), gives chosen students the opportunity to work on leadership skills, win scholarships and much more.
Co-hosts of the program include the Academy of Leadership and Liberty at OC and the National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA). 
Campbell, the daughter of Richard James and Bobbie Jo Campbell of Ellabell, said she is excited about the conference and the opportunity to hone her leadership skills.
“There will be a lot of leadership positions I’ll step up to,” she said. “I’m nervous but excited to try new stuff.”
Campbell is active in BCHS’ Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) program, participating on the raider team — the JROTC sports team — and as commander of the drill team last year.
In addition to being active in JROTC, Campbell also maintains a 4.0 GPA, is a member of Beta Club, plays the trumpet in the band, was sophomore class president and participated in cross country and tennis last year.

Read more in the July 18 edition of the News.