Leadership, motivation and learning brought 12 schools from Rural Electric Cooperative’s service area together for REC’s 17th annual Youth Leadership Summit. 

“REC is passionate about our youth and helping to develop their skill set,” said Megan Lawrence, Manager of Member Services and Marketing. “REC and the Board of Trustees understand the importance our youth play in our communities and fostering their leadership development will only assist them later in life.”

Rhett Laubach, owner of Your Next Speaker, in Edmond, Oklahoma spent the day working with approximately 70 students about leadership and preparing for the future. The students interacted with each other throughout the day and gained useful tips on making an impact. Laubach has taught leadership skills for over 25 years to audiences across the United States, the Bahamas and Canada.

This year, students from Alex, Bray-Doyle, Cement, Dibble, Elmore City-Pernell, Lindsay, Maysville, Ninnekah, Pauls Valley, Purcell, Wayne and Wynnewood participated in the Youth Leadership Summit. In addition to a full day of mental, emotional, social and physical activity, REC gave five scholarships. The winners of the scholarships were selected based on their participation throughout the day, their application they submitted and recommendations from their sponsors.

REC gave four, $250 scholarships and one, $500 scholarship. This year’s $250 Youth Leadership Summit scholarship winners were Clara Wright from Alex, Nigel Reid from Maysville, Sarah Christensen from Pauls Valley and Serenity Garrett from Wynnewood. Adam Edelman from Purcell was awarded the $500 Youth Leadership Summit scholarship award.

“REC is honored to provide opportunities for our youth to expand their leadership skills," Lawrence adds. "We are also thankful the schools in our service territory allowing their students to participate in this event and all of our youth programs."