The Royse City Tri-County Chamber Youth Leadership program, EMERGING LEADERS, held its County Government Day on March 7, bringing together high school juniors for a day of learning and discussion with local officials.
The event aimed to broaden students’ understanding of county government and encourage them to consider future leadership roles in their community. Participants met with Commissioner John Stacy, Justice of the Peace Liana Whitten, and County Court Judge Keith Wheeler during a series of tours and presentations.
Students began their day at the Historic Courthouse, where Stacy explained the functions of the Commissioners Court. Whitten discussed her responsibilities within the county’s legal system. The group also toured the fourth-floor jail before visiting the Rockwall County Detention Center. There, Jail Administrator Major Todd Calkins described daily life for inmates and outlined programs designed to support their well-being.
The tour concluded in County Court at Law #1 with Judge Wheeler explaining court proceedings and jury trials. Wheeler left students with an encouraging message: “Leave things better than you found them,” urging them to prepare for future leadership opportunities.
This educational experience comes as Rockwall County faces challenges related to student demographics. The number of at-risk students in Rockwall County rose by 3.4% during the 2023-24 school year, totaling 7,777 students according to the Texas Education Agency. During that same period, Rockwall County schools ranked 48th highest in Texas for total at-risk student enrollment as reported by the Texas Education Agency. White students made up the largest ethnic group in Rockwall County schools with 12,123 students (51.7%), while Hispanic students were second with 6,172 students (26.3%), according to the Texas Education Agency.
The EMERGING LEADERS program continues throughout the academic year with participants from Royse City High School: Alyssa Fry, Aziah Zamora, Ian McCrory, Jackson Bynum, Lucas Ratterree, McKenzey Wagner, Moises Vides, Nina Payne, and Teresah Macharia.
