MLEC Sends Students to Leadership Summit

Young Leaders Learn about State Government during Co-op Event.

(April 12, 2024– Nashville, TN) — Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative’s commitment to local students continued by sponsoring two high school juniors to attend the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association’s annual Youth Leadership Summit.

Perry County High School junior Ellie Ulmer and Lewis County High School junior Jaxon Fite joined 44 other high school juniors from across the state in Nashville for the three-day conference March 18-20. They received a hands-on look at state government, learned networking and leadership skills, and developed a better understanding of their local electric cooperatives. MLEC Marketing Coordinator Memori DePriest served as chaperone.

“These students will soon be our community leaders and electric cooperative member-owners,” said MLEC President and CEO Keith Carnahan. “We want them to share our passion for their districts, so it is an honor for MLEC to help prepare them for the opportunities that are ahead. The future of our rural communities depends on a new generation of strong leaders like these.”

While in Nashville, delegates visited the State Capitol Building where Tre Hargett, Tennessee Secretary of State, welcomed the students. They visited with legislators, sat in on committee meetings and debated and voted on a mock bill.

In addition to meeting lawmakers and experiencing the state Capital, students also developed their leadership and team-building skills at the Joe C. Davis YMCA Outdoor Center at Camp Widjiwagen, participated in an electric safety demonstration and completed a leadership training course with leadership expert Amy Gallimore. Delegates also attended a Nashville Predators hockey game as special guests of the Preds.

IMAGE CUTLINE: Perry County High School junior Ellie Ulmer, MLEC Marketing Coordinator Memori DePriest and Lewis County High School junior Jaxon Fite represented the cooperative and met state lawmakers at the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association’s annual Youth Leadership Summit. Pictured from left: Ulmer, DePriest and Fite.