Twenty-six students representing Oklahoma’s Electric Cooperatives attended the 2023 Oklahoma’s Electric Cooperatives Leadership Summit at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds on March 13, 2023.
This annual event is designed to excite and motivate high school students to become community leaders. More than 500 Oklahoma high school students have been recognized for their leadership abilities by having the opportunity to attend one of the previous leadership summits.
The program featured Oklahoma natives Rhett Laubach and Kelly Barnes, who have collectively spent over 40 years sharing leadership messages with students and adults in the education, agriculture, insurance, health, transportation, and sales industries. As a result, the students learned how to focus on making the most of the service and growth opportunities available to them now and in the future. In addition, the program helped increase the students’ understanding of how leaders create change, overcome obstacles, and serve others through behavior and attitude.
BRANT FAILES, Cherokee High School senior, appreciated the opportunity to develop his leadership abilities further.
“The importance of being positive and just having a good attitude was one of the major takeaways from the Leadership Summit,” he said.
Cherokee senior JOCIE SHELTON shared a few of her thoughts.
“During this event, I learned how impactful and influential I can be for others,” she said. “I really do appreciate being chosen for this event and scholarship.”
Oklahoma’s Electric Cooperatives serve a portion of all 77 counties in Oklahoma. While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work to sustain their communities through programs, services, and policies developed by member-elected boards. Cooperatives are grounded on the premise of neighbors helping neighbors while powering the needs of new generations.