What does leadership look like in action? For a group of local high school juniors, it was spending a day in Frankfort meeting state leaders, asking questions and seeing how their voices can make a difference.
Tri-County Electric sponsored Monroe County High students Collin McKiddy and Hayden Newport to attend the 2026 Frankfort Youth Tour.
Alongside nearly 90 students from across Kentucky, delegates explored how government, energy and community leadership connect. They heard from Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman and members of the Kentucky Rural Electric Cooperatives Caucus, including Sen. Amanda Bledsoe, Rep. Wade Williams and Sen. Jason Howell, who shared how decisions made in Frankfort impact local communities.
The day also included the kickoff of Co-ops Vote, a nonpartisan effort to increase voter participation in rural Kentucky. Secretary of State Michael Adams encouraged students to stay engaged and take part in the process.
“These students are already showing what leadership looks like,” said Glenn Hale, CEO of Tri-County Electric. “Programs like the youth tour give them the confidence and perspective to step up and lead in their communities.”
For many students, the experience was eye-opening and empowering, and a reminder that leadership starts close to home.
