Birch Tree, MO. – Two local students were among 85 high school students from across Missouri who participated in the Missouri Electric Cooperative CYCLE program. This program, also known as the Cooperative Youth Conference and Leadership Experience, allowed students to be close to politics in the Missouri Legislative. This conference was held July 16-19, 2024, at the DoubleTree Hotel in Jefferson City and was sponsored by Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative.
The students were Winona High School Senior Alyssa Barkley, and Mountain View/Birch Tree High School Senior Haylee Drexler.
Every year in July, these four days provide 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 the process of a bill becoming a law. Students were also divided into teams to compete in various leadership and skills events.
Students also toured the Missouri State Penitentiary in Jefferson City and saw a live powerline demonstration as well as several electric vehicles at Central Electric Power Cooperative’s headquarters. For the first time in CYCLE’s history, the conference was extended to four days, with the extra day being a trip to St. Louis to tour the City Museum and enjoy an evening at Dave & Buster’s. This is the 21st year of the CYCLE program giving students that chance to experience cooperatives and politics in the field.
For more information about AMEC youth programs, contact director Chris Massman at cmassman@amec.org or go to www.moyouthtour.com/cycle or Stephanie Beltz-Price at Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative at 417-256-2131. Applications are available each January for High School Juniors at the area High Schools.
