Missouri electric co-op youth program means education and fun
Branson, Missouri – Riley Combs, Bradleyville; Sarah Howser, Ozark; Cameron Edmonson, Spokane, and Dorian Hayes, Bradleyville, sponsored by White River Valley Electric Cooperative, Branson, were among the 108 high school students from across Missouri who participated in the Electric Cooperative CYCLE program. CYCLE stands for Cooperative Youth Conference and Leadership Experience. The conference was held July 20-22, 2016, in Jefferson City.
Each year in July, an action-filled three days provides high school students opportunities to learn first-hand what it is like to be involved in politics, the cooperative form of business and being a leader. The program included nationally known speakers and a day at the Missouri State Capitol learning how a bill goes through the process to become a law. To learn more about electric cooperatives, the group was divided up into small teams that competed in various events like the “build a cooperative” game. Another highlight was hearing from the Rachel’s Challenge Organization. Rachel Scott was the first student killed in the Columbine High School tragedy on April 20, 1999. Today, her family and friends speak to youth around the world about Rachel’s legacy of being a positive role model to everyone she met in life.
The CYCLE program is in its 13th year and is a recipient of the National Community Youth Service award for the top youth program among all electric cooperatives in the country. For more information, contact program coordinator Mike Marsch at mmarsch@amec.org.
WRVEC CYCLE 2016 delegates (left to right) Riley Combs, Bradleyville; Dorian Hayes, Bradleyville; Cameron Edmonsen, Spokane; and Sarah Howser, Ozark.
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