By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE

News Business Editor

Leadership Ponca City graduating class went out in style Tuesday evening as the 18 members of the classed rolled toward future.

Well attended, the event graduation was held at the Ponca City Country Club under the sponsorship of Ponca City Foundation for Progress and Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce.

Sue Lunsford, one of the four Leadership Ponca City chairmen, gave the welcome. Later she was honored as she is retiring as a chairman because of the responsibility of Chamber vice president.

The invocation was given by Terri Busch, LPC Class of 2007. Debbie Robinson of the Chamber staff was recognized for her support work throughout the year.

Bill Alexander, director of the American Legion Home, expressed appreciation for the work project the class did including painting, lockers and other projects.

Mayor Homer Nicholson, also a chairman, said, "The Leadership program is about growing and grooming leaders." He had high praise for the 21st class.

Thoughts on leadership were presented by City Manager Gary Martin. He gave examples of the different styles of leaders and asked the class, which type of leader they would be?

Leadership examples were bureaucratic leader, charismatic leader, Democratic leader, people-oriented leader, servant leader, transaction leader, transformation leader and situation leader.

Martin says, "What is really interesting is the person who will become a leader and does not know it until it happens. Many of us have been placed in positions of leadership without seeking such."

He mentioned city leaders Ken Wilson, Paula Cain, and Homer Nicholson, Gerald Nield, volunteer, Janet Martin and Rich Cantillon, Chamber of Commerce.

Martin quoted fourth century Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu, which ends with "When their work is done, their aims fulfilled, the people will say, 'We did this ourselves.'"

Leadership graduates Jason Pinney and Katherine Long presented a video that featured each graduate and Ponca City historic buildings or organizations. Echo Blanton, a graduate, declared at the end "Leadership Rocks."

Day chairmen, and businesses, which provided snacks or lunches for the class were recognized by Chuck Rager, another quad chairman.

Each class goes through 10 sessions. The sessions are orientation, a retreat, history, civic and human services day, business and commerce, county government, education, state government, city government and graduation.

Presentation of certificates were by Rager and Rhonda Stolhand, quad chair. Graduates are Echo Blanton, Mark Brumley, Paula Cain, Timilyn Crank, Tracy Didlake, Jan Emo, Amie Huster, Lori Hutchins, Gary Jernigan, Paul Kyler, Katherine Long, Mandy Morris, Stephen Parr, Jason Pinney, Shelley Simon, Traci Thorpe, Casey VanHoesen and Daren Wilson.

Additional support throughout the 10 sessions by leadership alumni was provided by Joe DeNoya, Nancy Tyndall, and Terri Busch. Don Nuzum was recognized as the bus driver for leadership.