TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Two University of Alabama students played key roles in helping to make the recent Capstone Leadership Assembly for Student Success (CLASS) conference a success. Grace Shelby, a junior from Huntsville, and Christian Smith, a sophomore from Trussville, were both instrumental in coordinating the conference that took place on Saturday, Jan. 31.

Shelby currently serves as the leadership chairman for the Coordinating Council of Student Organizations (CCSO). Smith is currently a LEAD Team ambassador in the Office of Leadership Development. Their responsibilities for the CLASS conference included securing speakers for the conference and soliciting donations to offer as door prizes.

“These two young ladies were the epitome of leadership,” Brandi Lamon, UA associate director for Leadership Development in the division of Student Affairs, said. “They clearly delegated responsibilities to their volunteer teams and were very organized in planning every logistical detail of the day.”

The purpose of CLASS is to help students develop leadership skills and to encourage ambitions of leadership among college students throughout the state.  During the conference, participants had the opportunity to learn the importance of personal development through various workshops and lectures by successful leaders. More than 100 students participated in this year’s conference.