A rising Andalusia High School student, Cape Merrell, was recently chosen as Alabama’s Youth Leadership Council (YLC) Representative. She is the only Representative from PowerSouth Energy Cooperative in the program’s history.
Cape Merrell is a rising senior at Andalusia High School. (PHOTO PROVIDED)
Merrell was among two students who represented PowerSouth on the streets of Washington, D.C. for the National Rural Electric Cooperative (NRECA)’s Youth Tour Program. The program permits high school students to act as electric cooperative delegates and interact representatives from the NRECA’s representatives from the elected House as well as Senate representatives and NRECA’s senior leadership and to discuss the importance of providing reliable, safe and affordable electricity to consumers.
Youth Tour delegates submitted videos to Alabama Rural Electric Association (AREA) to be rated, where competition was narrowed to a three-person panel finalist. They then wrote and delivered addresses to peers, who took part in an online vote, thereby electing Merrell their YLC Rep.
Merrell is scheduled to attend the NRECA’s Power Xchange conference in March 2024, and then compete for the National YLC. If she is chosen as the National spokesperson She will then deliver an address at the largest gathering in North America of electric cooperative executives.
“It’s insane to think that a simple essay has resulted in me being recognized at a national scale,” said Merrill. “Being from an isolated town, we do not have many opportunities to receive this kind of recognition. I am extremely grateful to be a part of YLC and to be able to expand my horizons and get to know new people and gain about so many things.”
The Youth Leadership Council consists of one representative for each state participating and focuses on the history as well as the fundamental principles of electric cooperatives at the Congressional level. Delegates are also able to meet in conjunction with inspirational speakers connect and gain valuable internship or scholarship opportunities, helping them prepare to become the future leaders of the next generation.
Cape was the baby of Walt Merrell and Hannah Merrell.
The story Merrell chosen as the Alabama’s Youth Leadership Council representative was first published at The Andalusia Star-News.
