The Fountain Hills Leadership Academy (FHLA) held its graduation ceremony for class eight Thursday, Nov. 13, at the Overlook Pavilion at Eagle Mountain Golf Club.

The graduating class included 11 participants from Fountain Hills who completed the eight-week program.

The program is held every year starting in September and concludes in November.

The evening ceremony was hosted by Lee Holmes and Toni LePoer, alumni from last year’s Class seven. Holmes, LePoer and their fellow class seven colleagues shared various responsibilities throughout the eight-week program that helped guide class 8 through their experience, a press release said.

In her opening remarks, Lee Holmes congratulated class 8 and recognized its contributions by saying, “You have demonstrated that you care for your community by giving back your time and resources to make Fountain Hills the greatest town in the country.”

Mayor Ginny Dickey also congratulated the class and thanked those who helped put the program together each year.

Other speakers included chair of the Leadership Academy Board David Corlett, Tom Lindsey from Fountain Hills Toastmasters and graduates of FHLA class two.

Proposed projects

The highlight of the evening was the presentations given by members of the class that featured proposals to improve and enhance various aspects of Fountain Hills.

These presentations touched on topics that included environmental improvements, expanding the Sister Cities program, adding fitness stations around Fountain Park and encouraging tourism and growth within the town.

FHLA is a comprehensive, community program offered through the non-profit I Love Fountain Hills and is designed to develop better-informed citizens.

The eight-week course is an immersion into the town’s governmental processes, civic and community services, public safety and environmental management.

This year’s class heard from 57 speakers, traveled to 20 different locations around the town and into Fort McDowell, and was supported by 35 sponsors whose contributions included meals at various restaurants as well as in-kind and monetary support that goes toward curriculum materials.

Planning for the 2025 Class will begin in January.

Those interested in becoming a candidate for next year’s class can visit ILoveFountainHills.org/leadership-academy.