Youth Leadership Program

A leadership experience for high school juniors.

The Cobb EMC Youth Leadership Program gives current high school juniors the opportunity to develop leadership and networking skills, learn about their electric cooperative and earn scholarships. Youth Leadership Program students also compete to represent Cobb EMC on the Washington Youth Tour, designed to build leadership skills. The contest offers current high school juniors an opportunity to win a  $1,500, $1,000, or $500 scholarship, one of four spots for an all-expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C. from June 14-21, 2024, and one paid student summer internship.

  • Be a high school junior (including home-schooled students)
  • Live in a primary residence served by Cobb EMC
  • Complete the application and submit an essay (see How to Apply section for details)
  • Cobb EMC employees and their children are not eligible for this program and scholarship
  • Cobb EMC Directors and their children are not eligible for this program and scholarship

Include the following items with your application:

  • Completed 2024 Cobb EMC Youth Leadership Program Application
  • Original essay on the following topic: Briefly discuss the seven cooperative principles. Which do you think is the most important and why? Essay requirements:
    • Legibly written in ink on 8.5x11" paper, or
    • Typed double-spaced
    • Word document or PDF sized to 8.5x11"
    • Times New Roman in font sized 12 pt
    • 500 word minimum (should not exceed 700 words)
    • See judging rubric

Essay must be accompanied by a cover letter including: student’s name, address, phone number, name of school, date

  • The Youth Leadership Application and Essay must be submitted in one of four ways:
     
    1. Mail:
      Cobb EMC
      Attn: Mark Justice
      1000 EMC Parkway
      Marietta, GA 30061
       
    2. Drop-off: Cobb EMC is located on EMC Parkway, just north of Kennestone Hospital. For detailed directions, please call Mark Justice at 678-355-3124 or click here
       
    3. Email: youthleadershipprogram@cobbemc.com
       
    4. Fax: 678-355-3124
  • Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.: Virtual Information Session – email youthleadershipprogram@cobbemc.com to register for the information session. The Virtual Information Session is not mandatory for students that want to enter the Cobb EMC Youth Leadership Program.
  • Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.: Virtual Information Session – email youthleadershipprogram@cobbemc.com to register for the information session. The Virtual Information Session is not mandatory for students that want to enter the Cobb EMC Youth Leadership Program.
  • Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.: Virtual Information Session – email youthleadershipprogram@cobbemc.com to register for the information session. The Virtual Information Session is not mandatory for students that want to enter the Cobb EMC Youth Leadership Program.
  • Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023: Entry deadline
  • Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.: Orientation Night 
  • Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.: DISC Assessment Night
  • Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.: Community Night
  • Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024 at 5:30 p.m.: Membership and Safety Night
  • Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024 at 5:30 p.m.: Politics Night
  • Thursday, Mar. 7, 2024 at 5:30 p.m.: Leadership and Workplace Success Night
  • Tuesday, Mar. 26, 2024 at 5:30 p.m.: Interview Night
  • June 14-21, 2024: Trip to Washington D.C. 

All participants will receive a detailed schedule.