Each year, Gibson Electric Membership Corporation sponsors two Tennessee students on the Youth Leadership Summit in Nashville, Tennessee, and two Kentucky students on the Frankfort Youth Tour.

This year’s Tennessee delegates were juniors Seth LaRue, Dyer County High School, and Madee Arflack, Peabody High School, and the Kentucky delegates were juniors Sydney Todd and Ella Gilbert, Carlile County High School.

Youth Leadership Summit

During their stay in Nashville, LaRue, Arflack and 44 of their peers representing electric co-ops from across the state participated in leadership development activities and learned more about what co-ops do for their communities. Students visited the YMCA Outdoor Center at Camp Widjiwagan for team building and a scavenger hunt. While there, they also participated in electric safety demonstrations.

At the state Capitol, students met with their representatives, Secretary of State Tre Hargett and Gov. Bill Lee. The summit also included some Nashville classics like the Goo Goo Cluster Store and the Country Music Hall of Fame, and delegates attended an Andy Grammer concert at the historic Ryman.

“I was uncertain what I was getting into, but it genuinely was a great experience to get to learn about electric co-ops and hang out with people that have similar hobbies and aspirations as me,” LaRue said.

“It taught me so much about teamwork, connecting with others and leading with heart,” Arflack said. “I left feeling inspired to make a difference and to always support those around me.”

Frankfort Youth Tour

Nearly 100 students representing Kentucky’s electric co-ops participated in the Frankfort Youth Tour, a program that offers student leaders a personal understanding of American history, civic engagement and their role as citizens and members of electric co-ops.

Lt. Gov. Jacquline Coleman welcomed students to the Capitol and encouraged them to find their passion and get involved in their communities. After touring the Capitol, students observed the Senate and House chambers while they were in session. Later, East Kentucky Power Cooperative provided bucket truck and safety demonstrations.

During lunch hosted by the Kentucky Electric Cooperatives Youth Tour delegation and the Rural Electric Cooperative Caucus, students met with elected officials and co-op leaders. For the 10^th consecutive year, in conjunction with the Frankfort Youth Tour, Kentucky’s co-ops partnered with Secretary of State Michael Adams to launch the 2025 Co-ops Vote initiative, a nonpartisan effort to boost voter turnout in rural communities across the country.

“Getting to meet and hear the political figures was something I’ll never forget,” Gilbert said. “It opened my eyes to what really goes on in our government.”

“I enjoyed sitting in the House gallery and the tour,” Todd said. “I thought it was fascinating.”

Gibson Electric Member Services Specialist Sarah Williams chaperoned the students on both trips.