MAKING THEIR MARK ON MONTGOMERY

They started out as strangers. But that didn't last long.

Abby Jordan from Daphne High School, Jessica Welch from Robertsdale High School, Myah Riggs from Robertsdale High School, and Molly Caruthers from Baldwin County High School served as Baldwin EMC's delegates on the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour trip to Montgomery in March.

The four ladies were chosen from among nearly 100 applicants, after they submitted an application and essay, and participated in an interview with a panel of judges.

They departed from Baldwin EMC's headquarters on March 14. Their adventure began with a bit of ice breaking and team building led by motivational speaker and wellness coach Cea Cohen Elliott. That was followed by an informative session called "Co-op 101" led by Baldwin EMC's Manager of Training and Development Melissa

Hollingsworth and a financial literacy session led by Alabama ONE Credit Union.

The remainder of their days in Montgomery were filled with trips around town to see important sites such as the State Capitol, the Alabama Department of Archives and History, the Alabama Statehouse and the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church, and face to face meetings with the elected officials representing their hometowns.

For decades, the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour program has brought high school juniors from throughout the state together to participate in leadership development, gain valuable co-op education and get an up-close look at Alabama's state government.

The Electric Cooperative Youth Tour also includes a trip to Washington, D.C., in June. Jordan, Welch, Riggs and Caruthers will come back together for the adventure of a lifetime in our nation's capital, which will include meetings with national legislators and tours of important governmental buildings and historical sites.

Baldwin EMC's four Youth Tour delegates will be awarded a college scholarship to help fund their higher educational pursuits. Each of their teachers also received grants for educational supplies for their classrooms.

McFarland Takes National Stage

Foley High School senior Mayme McFarland recently made a stop in Nashville, Tenn., for an appearance at Power Xchange, the annual meeting for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). McFarland is currently serving as Alabama's representative on the Youth Leadership Council, or YLC. She was selected after participating in the Montgomery Youth Tour last year.

The goal of the YLC is to build leadership and public speaking skills, and to enhance knowledge of the energy industry and the cooperative business model. YLC students participate in co-op related activities and make presentations at their statewide and local cooperative annual meetings.