By GINNY COOPER/Staff Writer

CALERA—The Calera Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors announced a new program named the Calera Chamber of Commerce Junior Chamber in an email sent out on May 11.

“This is a great opportunity to help with our schools, so they can take advantage of what we can offer and find a way for high school students to interact with businesses,” Calera Chamber of Commerce President Holly Stanley said.

Stanley touted the importance of hands-on business experience for all high school students in order to prepare students as they go into the next stage of life.

The chamber will select four junior and four senior students for the junior chamber, and students will help with events such as the Strawberry Festival and Golf Tournament, meet with city leaders, undergo mock interviews and talk with business leaders in the community.

All participants selected for the chamber will receive a scholarship, with a $250 scholarship for junior students and a $500 scholarship for senior students. Students who participate for two consecutive years will be eligible for both scholarships.

The chamber will benefit from the program by having the opportunity to interact with students on a regular basis, but the program is primarily set up to benefit the community, Stanley said.

“(The Chamber of Commerce) exists for businesses, to help businesses, but it’s also for the community,” Stanley said. “The main thing is not that the chamber benefits, but the responsibility of the chamber is to give back to the community.”

For more information about the junior chamber or to apply for a position, email info@calerachamber.org.