High school senior DelilahRay Roop is counting the days until she can start lineworker college.
“When I turn 18, I’m jumping into linework, and do everything I can and learn everything I can. I’ve always been interested in learning things, doing things and fixing things. And I’ve always wanted to help people,” said Roop, who wants to follow in the footsteps of her lineworker father and grandfather by enrolling in the Power Line Worker Training program at Southside Virginia Community College in Blackstone.
The determined Roop, whose parents are members of Rappahannock Electric Cooperative, was one of nearly 80 girls at the fourth annual Girl Power Camp at the Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives’ Training Center Oct. 30 in Palmyra, Virginia. During the daylong interactive experience, girls interested or curious about working in the energy industry learned about a variety of career paths in nine 30-minute interactive sessions led by industry professionals.
Word-of-mouth at local schools in co-op service areas has supercharged participation in the camp since it launched in 2021 with 11 girls. This year, VMDAEC offered a second camp in Maryland’s Eastern Shore at the Salisbury district office of Choptank Electric Cooperative Oct. 3.
“This event would not be possible without the incredible and generous support from our industry partners,” said Jim Robertson, VMDAEC’s manager of member services. “Their expertise and willingness to share it help make Girl Power a successful and engaging experience.”
At the Oct. 30 camp, more industry reps were on hand this year to answer girls’ questions and talk about their experiences in what’s still a male-dominated field. Lunchtime speaker Cindy Haddock, president and owner of North Carolina’s River City Construction, talked about focusing on her strengths, especially during the line company’s early days.
“I can’t climb a pole, but I can look at it and tell you if something is wrong,” Haddock told the group. “If someone questions your qualifications, let ‘em feel that way. But you need to do it good, and you need to do it the best. The ride ain’t always easy, but it’s worth it.”
Energy leaders and high school teachers at the Virginia event concurred they need to do more to promote energy careers as viable options among young people, especially girls. Right now, the industry is struggling with labor shortages due to retirements and population growth.
“At one point, a girl wouldn’t be climbing a power pole,” said Girl Power Camp chaperone Christy White, a career and technical education specialist at Fluvanna County High School, served by Lovingston-based Central Virginia Electric Cooperative.
“As adults, we have to talk up these opportunities like the Girl Power Camp. If I hadn’t put it out there, they wouldn’t have known.”
Judging by several participants’ reactions during the Oct. 30 camp, the girls were all in. Three-time camper Roop used the opportunity to connect with reps at an information booth sponsored by Southside Virginia Community College. And onlookers marveled as Fluvanna High School junior Cadie Ellinson easily made her way up the practice pole at the mini-pole yard.
“I knew I wanted to do a trade, and when I went to this event last year, I was set,” Ellinson said. “I like the environment, and I like that nothing will be the exact same each day.”
Take a look at how this year’s Girl Power Camp in Palmyra unfolded in the photos below.