Five area students sponsored by Cuivre River Electric Cooperative were among the 85 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 15-18 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Jefferson City. The local delegates were Tucker
Healey, Silex High School; Layliani Childers, Liberty High School; and Mikayla Buchheit, Serenity Lucas and Hayden Schulte, all of Troy Buchanan High School.

Each year, this action-filled four days provides high school students opportunities to learn 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 up into teams that competed in various events such as the “build a cooperative” game.

Another highlight was hearing from the Rachel’s Challenge Organization. The presentation details the story of Rachel Scott, the first victim of the Columbine school shootings. Rachel’s family and friends speak to youth around the world about her legacy of being a positive role model to everyone she met in life.

Students toured the Missouri State Penitentiary in Jefferson City. They also saw a live powerline demonstration and learned all about electric vehicles at Central Electric Power Cooperative’s headquarters.

The learning didn’t end in Jefferson City. Students took a day trip to St. Louis to tour the City Museum and St. Louis Arch. They also enjoyed an evening of food and games at Dave & Buster’s.

The CYCLE program is in its 22nd year and is a recipient of the National Community Youth Service award for the top youth program among all electric cooperatives in the country.

The annual contest is open to high school sophomores who live and attend school in CREC’s general service area, or who have Cuivre River Electric service in their homes. Applications for next year’s program will be accepted in the spring. For more information about the CYCLE program, contact Tim Schmidt at 800-392-3709, ext. 4837 or email tschmidt@cuivre.com.