MTEMC hosts Williamson County students on state Capitol tour and leadership summit

(From L to R) Representative Phillip Johnson, MTEMC’s Cathy Mitchell, Independence High School junior Mary Kelsey, Fairview High School junior Rebecca Flake and Representative Glen Casada at the 2008 Youth Leadership Seminar.

Local high school juniors Rebecca Flake and Mary Kelsey got to see firsthand how government works recently as Middle Tennessee Electric hosted their visit to the state Capitol in Nashville.

The visit, which included sitting in on Senate and House committee meetings at Legislative Plaza, was part of the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association’s annual two-day Youth Leadership Summit.

Flake, from Fairview High School, is the daughter of Ray and Catherine Flake of Fairview; and Kelsey, from Independence High School, is the daughter of Roger and Carolyn Kelsey of Thompson Station. Both students were among 42 high school juniors from across the state — two each from 21 Tennessee electric cooperatives — who attended.

“These students were selected because of their interest in government and their leadership abilities,” Joe Jackson, TECA director of youth and member relations, said. “The annual summit also gives students an opportunity to learn about electric cooperatives and how they affect their lives.”

Their two days of activities began with leadership development activities at their hotel and visits from special guests, including 2007 Miss Tennessee Grace Gore. Day two included an overview of the legislative process from TECA Director of Government and Public Affairs David Callis and State Representative Doug Overby.

In addition to a tour of the Capitol and the opportunity to sit in on legislative activities, the students were able to pose for photos and meet Governor Phil Bredesen. The evening wrapped up with a tour of Nashville and a Nashville Predators hockey game.

“We offer these educational experiences for the youth of our communities — our future members — because we are constantly striving to educate them on what it means to be a member of an electric cooperative,” MTEMC’s Community Relations Coordinator Cathy Mitchell said. “ We want them to understand why it was so important to form the electric cooperatives in the first place.”

Posted on May 6, 2008.