Patty Tewes knew she was carrying on a tradition by attending the Leadership Austin program this year.

And, she knew a lot about the program – thanks to First Farmers and Merchants Bank in Austin, for whom she works.

“We have a standing history and many of our people have gone through the program,” she said Thursday, following the program’s graduation, held at the Austin Country Club.

What she did not anticipate, however “was the personal way it touched every member,” she said. “That was the surprising thing.”

It was a common reflection among the 20 or so graduates of the program, now in its 12th year. On Thursday, each one gave a 10 minute presentation on the impact of the program.

“I feel kind of sad that this is our last day,” said Tori Miller, head of the Crime Victims Resource Center. “The friends, and the connections that have been made — its’ really special.”

It has been “really special” for the past 12 years, said Sandy Forstner, the executive director of the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber and Riverland Community College have partnered on the program since its inception, and over that time, said Forstner, about 300 have graduated.

The program is unique in that the emphasis is as much on the interconnectedness of the community – and the support it offers – as personal growth.

“It is really valuable in that way,” he said. “It doesn’t matter how long they have lived here, you always hear the same kind of comment: ‘I never knew that person did that,’ or ‘I’ve lived here all my life and never knew that about that business.’ It’s about community connections.”

The program is intense and lasts over nine months. During the course of the program, participants read, talk and travel to various locations – but mostly, they learn about the vast array of segments that make up a community, as well as its resources, strengths and weaknesses, and challenges. The goal is to motivate and encourage individual leadership in their communities.

Peggy Young – Austin School Board member and a training representative at Riverland – has facilitated the program for some years.

“I was part of the second graduating class,” she said. “Now, I get to help them feel their passions, use their strengths,” she said.

Miller said she was seeking “rejuvenation … looking for ways to improve myself which, ultimately, improves the way I do business. It was way, way better than I thought it would be.”

Tewes agreed.

“It really helps you find ways to integrate and support the community,” she said. “Leadership, strengths, team building. It’s been awesome, awesome, awesome.”