In March, Clarke-Washington EMC sponsored four local high school juniors on an all-expenses-paid trip to Montgomery as part of the 2024 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 Sophie Massey, Leroy High School; Jon Collie Odom, Washington County High School; Vivian Sullivan, Washington County High School; and Jayla Williams, Jackson High School. Each student will receive a $500 scholarship to the college of their choice.
The students arrived on Wednesday, March 13 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 Craig Hillier, who is the guest speaker for the event.
On Thursday, the students started off the day with a visit to the State House. They participated in tours at the Civil Rights Memorial, Legacy Museum and Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church where students heard an inspirational message from Wanda Battle. Students returned and heard from the 2023 Alabama YLC, Cape Merrell, before ending the day with a dinner dance.
To conclude the trip, the students heard from former Congresswoman Martha Roby and participated in Alabama One Credit Union’s Mad City Money. 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.
Jon Collie Odom and Jayla Williams were selected to represent Clarke-Washington EMC at the Washington D.C. Youth Tour. this summer. Odom and Williams will receive an additional scholarship to the school of their choice.
