Youth Programs
Building the next generation for our communities! Our youth are the future of the communities we serve. CEMC does it's best to partner with or support our schools when opportunities arise within the cooperative business guidelines. After all, like you, we want to see all students succeed, making a brighter future for them and the communities where they live. From scholarships and youth leadership programs to expense paid trips to our nation’s capital, CEMC knows the importance of student success and supports them, and our schools, every step of the way!
Washington Youth Tour: Each year, 12 high school juniors from Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation’s five county service area have an incredible chance to spend a week in our nation’s capital, getting a front-row view of government, leadership and public policy. The Washington Youth Tour, sponsored by CEMC and the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association, provides young leaders with an opportunity to explore Washington, D.C., and learn about government.
Senior Scholarships: Twelve graduating high school seniors from CEMC's five county service are awarded $1,000 dollars in academic scholarships each year. Each scholarship is to be used toward tuition, text books, and/or required class materials after the winner has enrolled as a full-time student in an accredited Tennessee college, university, or trade school of his/her choice. Scholarship awards are payable directly to the institution upon proof of enrollment.
Students explore world of energy at 4-H camp: Each year CEMC helps send a group of rising sixth and seventh grade students to attend 4-H Electric Camp at the University of Tennessee Knoxville campus. CEMC’s campers join hundreds of other students from across the state in discovering the world of electricity by participating in various camp learning centers that provide “hands-on” activities where 4-H’ers were able to “learn by doing.”
Read Across America: Each Spring CEMC employees participates in Read Across America, a reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading.
CEMC Student Art Contest: Local students submit their best entries and winners will receive cash prizes and have their artwork published in CEMC’s calendar, which is displayed in homes, schools and businesses throughout our service area. Calendars are free and available at each of CEMC’s offices beginning in November of each year.
Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association’s annual Youth Leadership Summit: High School juniors are chosen by school guidance counselors and sponsored by Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation. Delegates to the annual event receive a hands-on look at state government, learn networking and leadership skills and develop a better understanding of their local electric cooperatives. While in Nashville, the students visit the State Capitol Building where they were welcomed by members of the Tennessee General Assembly. Summit attendees also held a mock session in the Senate Chambers, debating and voting on a bill they developed.
Food Drives
Students in participating elementary schools have contests to see which class in each grade level can collect the most food. CEMC awards the students with a popcorn and movie party before delivering the food to local help agencies.
Co-op Day of service
CEMC employees donate food and school supplies to meet identified student needs in the school districts across the service area.
Trees of Giving
During the month of December, hundreds of coats, gloves, scarves, hats and other winter clothing items are collected and used to “decorate” Christmas trees in each of Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation’s lobbies. The donations, which also include nonperishable food items, were given to local community assistance agencies in each district for distribution before Christmas.
TEAM CEMC
Employees team up to raise money and awareness for groups such as the Alzheimer's Foundation, American Cancer Society, United way of the Greater Clarksville Region and Clarksville Association for Downs Syndrome.
Safety Demonstrations
During the year CEMC offers safety demonstrations for students, civic organizations and groups and first responders.