OZARK, Ala. (WDHN) — More than two dozen high schools throughout the Wiregrass strive to prepare their students for their future with the help of leadership programs.

So, Alabama Power, along with several other sponsors teamed up to bring these students together in the Power of Youth Leadership Forum, providing an opportunity for students to build relationships they can use in their future careers.

“Some of those students are going to be the future mayors, they’re going to be the future non-profit leaders,” Alabama Power Community Relations Manager, David Norwood said. “They’re going to be sitting around the table at the grow southeast meeting, at the chamber meetings, and non-profits and the United Ways. We just wanted to give them the opportunity to go ahead and meet each other, and start developing that relationship, and networking.”

Wednesday’s forum not only brought these students from 25 different high schools together but also held several breakout sessions providing information on economic development, speed networking, and social media.

All in an effort to allow these students to get a taste of the workforce.

“One of the goals for them also is to bring them information and allow them to get to be a part of things that they may not get to be a part of in their county programs,” Norwood said. “We want to make sure they understand that the grass is greener where you water it, and we want to water it right here in the southeast.”