The number 13 did not bother any triskaidekaphobes among the 2009 Leadership Anson class members. The "non-superstitious" class was the 13th in the program; and, at the graduation ceremony held at First Baptist Church on June 16, there were 13 "lucky" class graduates honored.

The 2009 graduates include: Joyce Burns, Anson Community Hospital; Shane Drake, Anson County Sheriff's Department; Gary Garrison, Anson County Waste Water Treatment Plant; Melissa Garrison, Carolina Farm Credit; Holly Hammonds, Anson County Partnership for Children; Joyce Ingo, Union County Employment Security Commission (attending on a scholarship from the Wadesboro Rotary Club); Gordon Jackson and Robert Mims, Wadesboro Police Department; Dusty Moser, Anson County Chamber of Commerce (attending on a scholarship from the Anson Women's League); Angela Newton, Pee Dee Electric; Jennifer Nichols and Jonathan Phillips, South Piedmont Community College; and Susan Thomas, Lynn Thomas Grading.

The "welcome" was offered by Jennifer Horne, Leadership Anson oversight committee chair; the invocation was given by Gordon Jackson; and Robert Mims introduced guest speaker, Janie Schutz, town of Wadesboro police chief. The dinner was catered by Fran Thomas and Karen Emrich.

Schutz used her 21-year law enforcement background to define leadership, outlining three areas: heart, humility and humanity; and played a 9-1-1 recording of an "officer in trouble" that was her own experience. "Each time I hear the tape I relive the event," she said, "but I made a mistake that day and I use it in my training of officers across the state."

Schutz said, "A part of leadership is being humble enough to say 'I messed up.' You can only lead by example ... Everyone has a different aspect of leadership ... Everyone is a leader in their own way if they believe in themselves."

In closing, she explained her three H's— Heart is the desire to do what has to be done; humanity is with age comes wisdom and understanding; as for humility, Schutz quoted Proverbs 11:2, "When pride cometh, then cometh shame; but with the lowly is wisdom.

Scott Collier, South Piedmont Community College instructor who oversees the curriculum for Leadership Anson, and Jilla Gathings from Anson Community Hospital, a member of the oversight committee, made the certificate and plaque presentations. Jennifer Nichols announced that checks will go to Anson County Domestic Violence Coalition and Anson New Tech School. She said the money was raised by Leadership Anson through fundraisers.

Melissa Garrison made the One-of-a-Kind" presentation to Lynn Edwards, executive director of the Anson County Chamber of Commerce. The presentation was a series of three photographs of Edwards, who was demonstrating how to cross a small creek on a fallen log. The photos were taken while the class was touring the Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge.

Edwards, in turn, presented Elbert Marshall with an "Outstanding Volunteer" plaque.

Edwards said Marshall volunteered his time on Leadership Anson class days to keep the Chamber's door open while Dusty Moser, chamber office manager, completed the leadership development program.

Moser was recognized, too. She was presented the "Outstanding Volunteer" award by Jilla Gathings, who chairs the Chamber's golf committee, for her volunteer efforts in the 2009 Chamber Open back in April.

In closing the graduation evening, Nichols thanked the Leadership Anson sponsors— the Anson County Chamber of Commerce, Hornwood Inc. and South Piedmont Community College. Collier recognized LA founding members, Don Altieri, Harvey Leavitt and Marshall, who were in the audience.