In March, Clarke-Washington EMC sponsored four local high school juniors on an all-expenses-paid trip to Montgomery as part of the 2023 Alabama Rural Electric Youth Tour.
The goal of Youth Tour is to help educate the students about electric cooperatives and Alabama’s history. Youth Tour also gives the students an opportunity to interact with elected representatives while making 143 new friends from across the state.
“We are excited to sponsor our local students again this year for our Montgomery Youth Tour and also award them a $500 scholarship,” said Steve Sheffield, Clarke-Washington EMC General Manager. “It is an amazing opportunity for our students and allows them to learn about electric cooperatives and gain valuable insight into our state government and history.”
This year’s youth tour delegates included Caroline Beaux, Clarke Preparatory School; Nour Jabnouni, Washington County High School; Sanaa Thomas, McIntosh High School; and Maya Toomey, Millry High School. Each student will receive a $500 scholarship to the college of their choice.
The students arrived on Tuesday, March 14 and learned what it means to be a member of an electric cooperative, met new friends from across the state and ended the day with listening to Cea Cohen-Elliot, who is the guest speaker for the event. She is a nationally known motivational speaker who shared a powerful message about knowing your worth and overcoming the many challenges they may face in life. Cea shared stories with the students about the importance of leadership and how the students can be leaders in their community.
On Wednesday, the students participated in tours at the Alabama Archives, Capitol and Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church where students heard an inspirational message from Wanda Battle. Students returned and participated in leadership and team-building activities with Cea. Alabama One Credit Union hosted Mad City Money with each student being given an occupation, income and family card. They rotated through “life stations” where they had to make financially sound decisions regarding the thing they want and lives they want to live. Students received a special visit from former U.S. Representative Martha Roby before ending the day with a dinner dance.
To conclude the trip, the students had the opportunity to meet with legislators at the State House and ask them questions about current issues impacting our state.
Nour Jabnouni and Sanaa Thomas were selected to represent Clarke-Washington EMC at the Washington D.C. Youth Tour. this summer. Jabnouni and Thomas will receive an additional scholarship to the school of their choice.