The Moore County Leadership Institute (MCLI) celebrated its 20th year at the graduation ceremony held Dec. 3 in the Donald Ross Grill at Pinehurst Resort.

This was the largest class the program has seen, with 26 participants. More than 44 applications were received from interested individuals to participate in the program, making the selection very competitive.

MCLI was led this year by Linda Criswell, Realtor and broker In charge for Prudential Gouger O'Neal and Saunders Real Estate in Seven Lakes; and Stephanie Rogers, administrative director of risk management for FirstHealth of the Carolinas. Both are graduates of the 2007 MCLI class.

There is a universal need for leadership, according to the Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber started MCLI in 1989 to develop effective local leaders. More than 350 local leaders have graduated from the program.

The objectives of MCLI are:

n Understanding Moore County.

n Expanding business and personal networks.

n Building leadership skills.

n Finding a place to serve within the community.

Class participants explored various leadership topics and engaged in team-building exercises over a 12-month period. In addition, they reviewed and discussed local issues affecting education, government, agriculture, tourism, and health care.

An important part of MCLI is developing class projects that address community issues raised during the year. These projects were presented in November and have made a significant impact on the community.

The 2008 MCLI class graduates are:

n Teri Alesch, Moore County

n Dr. Anita Alpenfels, Moore County Schools

n Eli Arroyo-Allen, Moore County

n Patrick Barry, First Citizens Bank

n Jeff Batton, village of Pinehurst

n Scott Boucher, Roly Poly

n Douglas Brooks, Moore County

n Chad Campbell, Pinehurst LLC

n Adele Chestnut, Sandhills Community College

n Heather Clemens, Pine-hurst LLC

n John Crichton, First-CarolinaCare Insurance Co. Inc.

n Kathy Desmond, Sandhills Children's Center

n Lisa Gibbs, Wachovia Mortgage

n Rodney Hardy, town of Southern Pines

n Sally Larson, Seagrove Area Potters Association

n Andrew Lyons, First Bank

n Eric Porter, Moore County Schools

n David Sinclair, The Pilot

n Emily Sloan, FirstHealth of the Carolinas

n Shannon Stites, FrontGate Properties

n Crystal Taylor, Moore County JobLinkEmployment Security Commission

n Kathy Taylor, The O'Neal School

n Carmen Villaronga, BB&T

n Sandy Waterkott, Univers-ity of North Carolina at Pembroke

n Carla Williams, Pinehurst LLC

n David Zmiewsky, Fidelity Bank

"MCLI helps participants understand the dynamics of effective leadership and decision-making," said Patrick Coughlin, president and CEO of the Moore County Chamber of Commerce. "Participants study our community infrastructure, analyze their own individual leadership styles/roles, and further develop their leadership skills.

"MCLI challenges emerging and existing leaders in our community to expand their professional network, develop a systemic understanding of how our community works, and examine potential solutions to the important issues that impact Moore County's future."

This year's graduation ceremony was highlighted with a speech from Walter Sturdivant, who spoke about how all persons can become leaders in anything they do -- whether at home, work or in other activities.

Sturdivant played fullback for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He played alongside the formidable talents of Amos Lawrence, Kelvin Bryant and Lawrence Taylor.

It was through the guidance of his mother, school and football that Sturdivant said he was able to develop his leadership skills. He congratulated the graduates and reminded them that they can also affect a person's life by teaching a leadership skill.

A native of Hamlet in Richmond County, Sturdiviant and his wife, Derrell, have two children, Jonathan and Mallory. His mother accompanied him at the graduation ceremony.