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ESCANABA -- Thursday night, members of our community gathered for the Delta County Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner, an evening built around a simple but meaningful theme ~ United We Thrive.
Throughout the evening, we celebrated businesses, organizations and individuals whose leadership, service, resilience and commitment continue to make a difference throughout our waterfront community. We shared stories of people who stepped forward when they were needed, businesses that invested in our community, organizations that served their neighbors and partnerships that proved, once again, how much more we can accomplish together.
The Annual Dinner also serves as graduation night for the newest class of the Delta Force Leadership Program. After months of learning about the people, organizations and systems that keep our community moving, participants are recognized for completing their Delta Force journey. As part of that tradition, one member of the graduating class is selected to deliver the commencement address, sharing with those gathered what the experience has meant from a participant's perspective. This year, that honor belonged to Kylee Owens, Tasting Room Manager at Leigh's Garden Winery. Please take the time to read what she shared with our guests.
“My name is Kylee Owens and I am the Tasting Room Manager at Leigh’s Garden Winery, my job deals mostly with the public, promoting not only my business but tourism within Delta County as well.
“When I first started Delta Force, I didn't really have an idea of the full scope of what our community truly does for each other. I started out as a very timid leader; someone who was a willing worker ready to step in and help out, but a bit shy, not quite knowing how to step forward or find my own path to lead.
“But through each portion of this program, I've learned and grown.
“First, discovering my personality type and how it connects to leadership was huge for me. It opened my eyes to my work style, gave me clear areas for improvement, and taught me how to work more efficiently with different personality types, something I know everyone benefited from. As we dove into the rich history of our area, we learned how deeply our past shapes our present and guides us into the future. We explored the diverse cultures and subcultures that give our community its heartbeat, and we witnessed firsthand the incredible innovation driving our small businesses forward.
“We also got a look behind the scenes at the inner workings of our community, from local businesses and government to developing a deeper understanding of problem solving. It showed us how every street, every neighborhood, and every person is connected, and how we can work together to evolve and grow stronger together.
“We witnessed how interconnected and wonderful our area truly is, how much generosity
“surrounds us, and the incredible contributions made by individuals, organizations, and the Hannahville Community to our area. We also gained a clear view of how many community services interact, from local government to policing, OSF, and everything in between. There were so many different moments that stood out and shifted how I perceive the world around me.
“One that truly resonated with me, and I’m sure many of my fellow graduates, was our tour of Bay Pines. It was always a place that people whispered about, but few truly knew. Seeing the immense effort put into making an impact on these children’s lives so they can heal and have a better future was genuinely amazing. I hope that more people look into opportunities to help these youth take the next step to creating a better future as well. I know I will.
“Another major highlight was visiting the Hannahville Community and experiencing how gracious they were in sharing their culture, showing us how they operate their small government and businesses, and reclaiming their heritage with such pride. Experiencing what it means to them to be Native American, and how they keep their culture alive today even though the past tried to erase it, was unforgettable.
“Learning each individual portion from a leadership standpoint has been more than just eye opening. It has made me a better leader, improved my customer service, and elevated my ability to lead community functions and promote tourism.
“More than that, it has inspired me to want to give even more back to our area and find new avenues to support it beyond what I'm doing today.
“I am so very thankful for this journey, for all of you, and for the bright future we are building together.
“Congratulations again to my fellow graduates! Also, thank you to our sponsors for not only believing we are going to be good leaders, but also supporting our community by providing leadership opportunities. Lastly, I want to thank our Chamber of Commerce for creating and providing opportunities to learn and deepen our understanding within our community.”
Congratulations to Kylee and all of this year's Delta Force graduates. We're proud of what you've accomplished, grateful for your willingness to step forward and excited to see where your leadership takes you next.