Youth Leadership Summit

Natalee Boyd-Sweeney of Cherokee High School and Ethan Crawford of Volunteer High School were selected to attend the 2013 Youth Leadership Summit sponsored by the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association, Holston Electric Cooperative and other Tennessee electric cooperatives.

The summit was held March 25-27 in Nashville at the Millennium Maxwell House Hotel.

This two and one-half day seminar educated young leaders about our state government and hometown electric cooperatives and rural electric systems, enhanced leadership abilities, and gave them an opportunity to meet our state legislators on Capitol Hill.

Highlights of the seminar included a tour of the State Capitol and an opportunity to listen to House and Senate Committee meetings at Legislative Plaza. The summit also included special leadership development presentations from the reigning Miss Tennessee, Tennessee Titans cheerleaders and others. The group spent a day at the Nashville YMCA learning teamwork, problem-solving and enhancing their leadership skills.

While visiting Capitol Hill, the group met with state representative, Mike Harrison.

Sweeney and Crawford also learned from electric cooperative employees the importance of having a hometown, locally-owned and operated electric utility in their community. Employees led a learning session entitled   “W.A.V.E. game.” They also helped the group organize their own electric cooperative and watched as the youth discussed how they would best handle real-life, difficult situations facing cooperatives today.

Students also competed in the long-time favorite of the Youth Leadership Summit – the Energy Battle – where the youth contended in a fun and educational debate-style game of knowledge.

Natalee Boyd-Sweeney and Ethan Crawford are both juniors in High School. Boyd-Sweeney is the daughter of Joseph and Amy Sweeney of Rogersville.  Crawford is the son of Glen and Cynthia Crawford of Rogersville.

From Left: Representative Mike Harrison, Natalee Boyd-Sweeney, Ethan Crawford, and Holston Electric's Communication Specialist, Michelle Simpson