HCS Students Graduate from 2025 Model Atlanta Regional Commission Leadership Program

HENRY COUNTY, GA – Henry County Schools juniors Hannon Grimwood Moss and Carrington Stevens were among 50 high school students from across the region who recently graduated from the Model Atlanta Regional Commission (MARC) youth leadership program.

Grimwood Moss, who attends Impact Academy, and Stevens, who attends Dutchtown High School and the Academy for Advanced Studies, are equally passionate about being change agents and supporting growth and development in their communities.

“I signed up for the program to develop my leadership skills, expand my knowledge of regional issues, and collaborate with like-minded peers to create meaningful change,” Stevens said. “The experience was truly invaluable.”

 “MARC provided me with valuable insights into the intricacies of regional planning and the complexities of the Atlanta Regional Commission,” added Grimwood Moss. “Meeting students and community leaders from the Atlanta area has deepened my understanding of how collaborative efforts can positively shape our cities and regions.”

The MARC youth leadership program offers an opportunity for students to cultivate their interests in human services and develop essential college, career, and life competencies.

Each May, eligible freshmen and sophomores from 11 Atlanta counties apply to the program for an opportunity to learn about and contribute to discussions aimed at improving public services. Students qualify based on demonstrated leadership, collaborative skills, and a commitment to community and civic involvement.                                                         

Sessions begin in August, with students meeting one Saturday monthly for six months. Throughout the immersive experience, participants explore public policy topics, including regional planning, housing affordability, responsible water usage, workforce development, community development, and transportation needs.

The program culminates in the MARC Open House and graduation in January, where students present group projects and share ideas for solutions to current challenges with parents, other students, and community and organization leaders.

Hannon Grimwood Moss

“I learned about MARC as a member of Youth Leadership Henry and applied for several reasons,” Grimwood Moss said. “I wanted to learn more about the Atlanta region and efforts to plan and build strong communities. Growing up in fast-growing Henry County, I have always been interested in planning and how we can best prepare for growth while protecting what makes our community special. I also believed my interests and community involvement would align well with the program, and that the experience would enhance my leadership, collaboration, and communication skills, preparing me to better serve my community. I was also interested in meeting other students and community leaders from the region.”

The students engaged with local policymakers and shared their ideas for enhancing services for local communities, emphasizing the importance of including stakeholders who will be directly impacted by the decisions made today. 

“The program’s emphasis on collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving is essential for any career,” Grimwood Moss said. “This experience has provided necessary skills to tackle real-world challenges and serve my community in more meaningful ways. I gained practical knowledge through interactive experiences that deepened my understanding of critical community topics and issues. The insights I gained from guest speakers and site visits broadened my perspectives, allowing me to better see the interconnectedness between different sectors within the community. I feel better equipped to contribute to initiatives aimed at improving local quality of life.”

Tours of sites, including the F. Wayne Hill Water Reclamation Facility, Chamblee City Hall, Atlanta Community Foodbank, and the Curiosity Lab at Peachtree, supplemented the learning experience. The excursions provided students with direct insight into the processes and infrastructures that support the Atlanta-area community. 

“I am strongly committed to serving my school and local community,” Grimwood Moss added. “As a member of the Beta Club since the fourth grade, I developed a deep appreciation for the importance of serving others.”

He is also president of the inaugural junior class at Impact Academy High School, vice president of the National Beta Club and the Impact Academy Owl Ambassadors, Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society member, and secretary of the Impact Academy Spanish and Culture Club. 

Grimwood Moss previously served as president of the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council at the middle and high school levels, as well as president and vice president of the Beta Club throughout middle school and was the first student representative to the Henry County Board of Education.

He also actively volunteers in his community, including supporting clean-up efforts and collecting goods for those in need.

“MARC allowed me to combine my passion for service with my commitment to our county,” he said. “Given Henry County’s rapid growth, I am committed to contributing to its future and ensuring decisions we make today will safeguard and enhance our community for years to come.”

Grimwood Moss plans to pursue undergraduate and graduate studies in business, focusing on a concentration that aligns with his goals and skill sets and provides a sense of satisfaction.

“I am more aware of critical regional issues such as aging services and water resources management development,” Grimwood Moss added. “I plan to apply the knowledge and experience I gained from MARC to better understand local challenges and explore potential solutions.”

Carrington Stevens

Stevens is a member of Health Occupations of America (HOSA) at Dutchtown High School, a program designed to prepare students to meet the needs of the health care community. She intends to study biomedical engineering or biochemistry and pursue a career in dentistry to contribute to advancements in dental technology and health care.

“One of the most impactful activities was collaborating with my peers to develop solutions for real-world challenges, which strengthened my critical thinking and communication skills,” Stevens said. “The experiential learning opportunity, which involved discussions, site visits, and hands-on activities, deepened my understanding of how leadership shapes communities.”

Stevens also serves on the Student Athlete Advisory Council, is a student ambassador, and captain of Dutchtown High School’s track and field team. She volunteers with several organizations and is an intern with ReGen Community Advisory, a community and economic development consulting agency.

“The MARC program helped me become a more confident public speaker and taught me how to plan and collaborate on projects and presentations effectively,” Stevens said. “It also helped me to grow as a leader, strengthen my collaboration skills, and gain a deeper understanding of regional development. These skills are valuable in leadership roles and highly applicable to college and other future endeavors. The overall MARC ee was memorable, and I recommend it to other students.”

“I commend Carrington and Hannon for taking the initiative to learn more about public service organizations and their role in community development and striving for equitable solutions,” Superintendent Dr. John Pace III said. “The program supports our mission to empower all students with exceptional opportunities and access that lead to success in a global society. I am confident they are well on their way to becoming the leaders and difference-makers we seek to develop here in Henry County Schools.”

The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) is the official planning agency for the 11-county Atlanta Region and has been offering the MARC youth leadership program since 1998. 

About Henry County Schools 

Henry County Schools (HCS) is the eighth-largest school district in Georgia, consisting of 53 schools and located about 20 minutes south of Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Over the past two decades, our community has grown in population from 113,000 residents to over 244,000 residents. Since 1999, student enrollment has grown from 21,000 to 43,000 students, and our number of employees has grown from 3,000 to 6,000. 
 
HCS is “In Pursuit of Exceptional,” taking action to advance opportunities, access, and outcomes so that every student in our school district has Exceptional Support, Exceptional Access, and an Exceptional Future. In 2020, our Board of Education adopted our 2021-2026 Community-Inspired Strategic Plan and laid out a clear vision and mission for Henry County Schools. Our vision is to ensure a high-quality, world-class education for every student, and our mission is to empower all students with exceptional opportunities and access that lead to success in a global society. 

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