The 49, soon to be 50, North Alabama Junior Civitan chapters have a new district governor: Phil Campbell High School senior Anna Gunderman.

Gunderman first became involved in Junior Civitan in the seventh grade. She said her older sister was also in the high school club, and over the years she watched her sister work her way up through the ranks until she became district governor. Gunderman said she drew inspiration from her sister’s achievements and became motivated to do the same thing.

“I’ve become better at public speaking and a better leader because of Junior Civitan,” she said.

Attending events like the International Convention, the District Convention and a leadership training camp is just part of what Gunderman has been involved in through Junior Civitan.

Now, as district governor, she will be part of two upcoming events that help raise money for the Junior Civitan Research Center: Sno-Do, a cross-country snowmobile fundraiser in Canada, and a 12-hour Dance-a-thon in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

“I am very proud of her,” said mother and Junior Civitan sponsor Amy Gunderman. “The motto of Junior Civitan is ‘Make the world a better place.’ She strives every day to live this out.”

In other activities, Anna completed the Franklin County Junior Leadership program in May. She was also selected to attend a leadership conference at Harding University this summer.

Amy said she feels “these experiences helped give her the confidence to seek the position of Alabama north governor.”

“I’ve learned that it’s not hard to meet new people,” Anna said. “It’s made me want to broaden my horizons and maybe attend a university that’s a little farther away from home.”

She said she plans on becoming a nurse and has been looking at colleges and universities in Arkansas and Tennessee.

Junior Civitan isn’t the only club Anna is involved in, either. She is a member of FCCLA, History Club, FBLA, Honors Society, SADD, Access Club and Student Council.