2 Coosa Valley Academy students will encounter Alabama’s and America’s history in new ways after winning a local competition.
Juniors Aleah Pickett and Draven Culver emerged as the winners following an essay competition, a written examination, and an interview with 3 Coosa Valley Electric Cooperative board members. The tests were part of the cooperative’s Youth Tour program, and the winners will now experience trips to Montgomery and Washington, D.C., as their reward.
The Montgomery trip occurs in mid-March, while the visit to the nation’s capital will be in June. Runner-up Isabella Brown of First Assembly Christian School will join Culver and Pickett in Montgomery.
“This program rewards some of the best students in the next generation by providing a chance to learn state and national history on a personal level,” says Jon Cullimore, CVEC general manager. “They’ll learn more about the inner workings of state and local government while networking with other bright students from across the state and nation. We’re honored to have these 3 represent us.”
The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association began the Youth Tour program to further educate high school students about the nation’s history and government. Today’s participants also learn how electric cooperatives shaped rural America while developing leadership skills.
Later, state cooperative associations implemented similar programs on a more local level. In Alabama, students today visit the state Capitol, meet legislators, and tour historical sites like the Civil Rights Memorial.