Greenwell Springs, Louisiana – Today DEMCO announced its selection of five students to participate in its Youth Cooperative Ambassador Program, an all-expense-paid leadership and educational program for 9th and 10th-grade DEMCO member-students. 

The Class of 2023 YCAP student ambassadors are Amiyah Chaney, Central High School; Amari Langley, University View Academy; Mackenzie Langley, Northeast High School; Sophia Macias, Episcopal School and Nathan Martin, Ponchatoula High School.

“A cooperative does more than provide electricity,” says David Latona, vice president of communications and governmental affairs. “We truly power the communities we serve and the ambassadors will learn that through their participation in his program,” says Latona.

DEMCO student ambassadors will study rural electrification, cooperatives, cooperative governance, and the seven cooperative business principles: voluntary and open membership; democratic member control; members’ economic participation; autonomy and independence; education, training, and information; cooperation among cooperatives; and concern for community.

The program will conclude with the students working on a community service project. 

DEMCO’s Chanon Martin, community relations specialist, notes that “workshops, seminars, peer group activities, and a community service project help enhance leadership, problem-solving skills, and interpersonal relationships.”

DEMCO also offers an annual essay contest for 11th-grade students and a scholarship program for 12th-grade students. Learn more at DEMCO.org/Community.

“This youth program for 9th and 10th-grade DEMCO member-students is one more way that DEMCO invests in the youth of our community,” says Latona.

DEMCO powers 114,420+ meters that serve over half a million people in a seven-parish service area of Southeast Louisiana: 
Ascension, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Livingston, St. Helena, Tangipahoa, and West Feliciana.