Montgomery Youth Tour

In March, Clarke-Washington EMC sponsored four local high school juniors on an all-expenses-paid trip to Montgomery as part of the 2022 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 115 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 Aja Barnes, McIntosh High School; Lauren Coaker, Jackson Academy; Reanna Johnson, Clarke Preparatory School; and Madeline Sanderson, Millry High School. Each student will receive a $500 scholarship to the college of their choice.
The students arrived on Tuesday, March 15 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 a game night. Guest speaker for the event was Cea Cohen-Elliot, who 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 leadership and team-building activities during the morning session before splitting into groups for the capitol steps picture. Clarke-Washington EMC delegates visited the Alabama Rural Electric Association (AREA) to learn more about electric cooperatives, power restoration and what it takes to become a linewoker and the other career opportunities at electric cooperatives. Students returned to hear from Beth Knudson from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) before ending the day with dinner and dance.
To conclude the trip, students met with legislators and had the opportunity to ask many questions about current issues impacting our state.
Lauren Coaker and Reanna Johnson were selected to represent Clarke-Washington EMC at the Washington D.C. Youth Tour. Unfortunately, this will be the third year that CWEMC has not been able to participate in the Washington D.C. Youth Tour due to the pandemic. In lieu of not be able to participate, Coaker and Johnson will receive an additional scholarship to the school of their choice.