Scarlet Bouchard of Bakersfield, Missouri was among the 93 high school students from across Missouri who participated in the Missouri Electric Cooperative CYCLE (Cooperative Youth Conference and Leadership Experience) program. The conference was held July 19-21, 2023, at the DoubleTree Hotel in Jefferson City. She was sponsored by the Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Each year in July, this three-day event 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 time 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 into teams competing 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 to be killed in the Columbine High School shooting in 1999. Rachel’s 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.
Students also toured the Missouri State Penitentiary in Jefferson City, Mo., and saw a live powerline demonstration as well as several electric vehicles at Central Electric Power Cooperative’s headquarters.
The CYCLE program is in its 20th 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 about AMEC youth programs, contact director Chris Massman at cmassman@amec.org or go to www.moyouthtour.com/cycle. Locally contact Stephanie BeltzPrice at Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative 417-256-2131.
