Rural Missouri - September 2023 - 9

Co-ops train Show-Me State's best and brightest
by Zach Smith | zsmith@ruralmissouri.coop
hinking about her summer vacation, Jazmine LePage didn't see herself
spending part of it in Jefferson City. But when her counselor at Thomas
W. Kelly High School in Benton told Jazmine about the Cooperative
Youth Conference and Leadership Experience (CYCLE), she thought it
just might be the chance she needed to broaden her horizons.
" She said, 'You should do this, because I think you can meet new people
and learn a lot about different things,' " recalls Jazmine, who was sponsored
by SEMO Electric Cooperative. As it turned out, meeting new people became
Jazmine's favorite part about the experience. " You learn a lot of different points
of view, what people like to do and what backgrounds they come from. You do
so many different things and meet so many new people, you never realize you're
out of your comfort zone. "
That's one of the many takeaways Missouri's electric cooperatives hope students
will have at the end of the program, and it's why for 20 years co-ops have
sponsored students to take part in CYCLE. For three days these delegates hear
from motivational speakers, participate in team-building activities, learn about
electric cooperatives, make dozens of new friends and unlock their potential as
tomorrow's leaders.
" Students who apply to be part of a program such as CYCLE are motivated
and open-minded, not just about their own future but about working with
others and learning from the experience, " says Chris Massman, who coordinates
the CYCLE program for the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives
(AMEC). " Many of them are already active in their communities, and we hope
they return home from Jefferson City inspired to do more and with a great support
system of new friends. "
This year, CYCLE delegates were comprised of 93 students sponsored by 37
of the state's electric cooperatives, AMEC and the Missouri Institute of Cooperatives.
For some delegates such as Alison Williston of Warsaw, who was sponsored
by Southwest Electric Cooperative, the program marked their first trip to
the state capital.
" I like to do new things and get new experiences to figure out what I want to
do with my future, so this was an amazing opportunity to be here, " Alison says.
" You only get a few opportunities in your life to do things like this. "
During CYCLE, delegates gain firsthand experience of the cooperative business
model, energy and technology. Delegates learn about Missouri's three-tier
electric co-op system and its power generation mix, the gear used by lineworkers
in the field and the different jobs available at their local electric cooperatives.
They also received a live-line electrical safety demonstration courtesy of
Central Electric Power Cooperative and an up-close look at electric vehicles
used by Callaway and Cuivre River electric cooperatives. This in-depth experience
is geared toward educating delegates who may one day become electric
cooperative member-owners and showing them where their interests can take
them in a career at a co-op.
" I have a passion for leading people so I'm always looking for leadership conferences
to help me refine my skills and help other people with leadership skills.
CYCLE was a great way to do that, " says Jude Wyatt, an El Dorado Springs
High School student sponsored by Sac Osage Electric Cooperative. In a trip
packed with field trips and activities, Jude, like many of his fellow delegates,
most enjoyed meeting his peers from other parts of the state. " It reinforced the
notion I've found true time and time again - strangers are friends you just
need to go meet. "
Clockwise from top left: Cailey Verdeja waits to speak during the cornerstone activity
of the CYCLE program - a debate on the floor of the Missouri House of Representatives.
Students tour the Missouri State Penitentiary. Hikari Nelson assembles a connector during a
demonstration of lineworker personal protective equipment. Ben Tucker learns about electric
vehicles from Callaway Electric Cooperative's Clay Carroll.
SEPTEMBER 2023 | RURALMISSOURI.COOP 9
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Rural Missouri - September 2023

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