Students represent NAEC in Montgomery

Two local students represented North Alabama Electric Cooperative at the 2026 Montgomery Youth Tour, an annual leadership program sponsored by the Alabama Rural Electric Association and electric cooperatives statewide.

This was the first year NAEC selected delegates to visit the state capital for Youth Tour. During the March 11–13 event, high school juniors from co-ops around Alabama met with state leaders, explored historic landmarks, attended leadership training, and learned about the role electric cooperatives play in powering rural communities.

Hudson Broadway, a junior at Kate Duncan Smith DAR School, says seeing the state Senate in session on a very busy day in the Alabama Statehouse was one of his favorite experiences.

“I thought it was really cool seeing how that worked,” he says.

Interactive lessons in leadership and sharpening presentation skills were other memorable moments for him, as were visits to the historic Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church, once pastored by Martin Luther King Jr., and the Legacy Museum that follows America’s racial journey from the days of slavery to the present.

“I knew I’d learn a lot of leadership skills and be able to tour some important state sites,” Hudson says. And to any students who might be part of future tours, Hudson—who happens to be a standout three-point shooter on DAR’s basketball team—advises: “Be open-minded and take everything in. There’s a lot of cool things and a lot of experiences that other people won’t be able to have.”

Mercy Hambrick, a junior at North Jackson High School, also points to leadership training as a high point of the Youth Tour.

“I learned a lot of leadership skills that I’m going to be able to use in my life,” she says.

Visits to Montgomery’s historic sites ranked highly as well. “My favorite activity was when we went to the church that Dr. Martin Luther King preached at and learned about his time there.”

An active and outgoing student—Mercy plays volleyball and is involved in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Student Government Association, Beta Club, Junior Leadership, and STEM clubs—she’s aware the Youth Tour takes many beyond their comfort zone.

“It might sound like something scary to be around so many people you don’t know, but I met great people from across the state, and I think we can learn a lot from each other,” she says. “It was a really great trip, and if anyone has the opportunity to take it, they definitely should.”

Hudson Broadway and Mercy Hambrick represent North Alabama Electric Cooperative during the Montgomery Youth Tour. The trip included visits to the Alabama Statehouse as well as historic sites, such as the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church.