Leadership Marengo and YOUth LEAD members traveled to Montgomery this week to learn more about state government.

The group attended the Blackbelt Regional Leadership State Government Day, along with delegations from Selma/Dallas County, Clarke County, Lowndes County, Wilcox County and Perry County.

The group heard from Ron Sparks, director of the Alabama Rural Development Office; Bea Forniss, Economic and Community Affairs division chief; Young Boozer, state treasurer; and other leaders.

After lunch at the RSA Plaza Terrace, the Marengo County group visited the State House to observe government at work. From the observation balcony in the House of Representatives, the group watched filibustering on the floor as discussions continued about the recent education bill. They ended the day touring the historic State Capitol.

Those attending were Clarke Kerby, Alfred Padilla, Brenda Tuck, Rebecca Hasty, Lisa Pickel, Morgan Nelson, Luke Massey, Milton Jackson, Jason Pruett, Sherron Brown, J.D. Barnes, Leigh Averett, Jimbo Graves, Jessie Smith, Michael Mullins, Jeff Laduron, Hester Brown, Christian Corbitt, Noah Long, Houston Davis, Cedric Cooks, Jarvis Edwards, Fallon Martin, Madelyn Coats, Talacy Hines, Anna Camille Manning, Christian Troupe, Hope Moore, Savannah Williams, and Meghan Wright. Attending but not pictured: Bill Meador, Jenn Tate, Kathryn Friday and Catherine Meador.