RICHMOND — The James River Association recently celebrated the inaugural class of the James River Leadership Academy at the Leadership Launch and Environmental Symposium.

“The 2015-16 James River Leadership Academy class consisted of 18 high school students from across the James River basin who committed a year to leadership training and implementing a lasting, positive environmental impact through community projects,” according to a press release.

“While working with professional mentors and Luck Companies’ Values-Based Leadership facilitators, students identified their personal leadership style in order to take action on behalf of the James River.”

The Leadership Launch and Environmental Symposium celebrated and showcased the student’s community partnerships, leadership development and individual projects that took place last year.

The projects included helping pass a legislative resolution commending the James River Association on 40 years of work and removing invasive plant species in the James River Park System.