Electric Cooperative Youth Participate in Youth Day
State Representative Norine Hammond met with students representing McDonough Power Cooperative and McDonough Telephone Cooperative, Inc. during the Illinois Electric and Telephone Cooperatives Youth Day in Springfield on Wednesday, April 3. Youth Day is designed to introduce young rural leaders to state government. More than 235 students representing 23 co-ops from across the state attended the event.
Students had the opportunity to visit the State Capitol, view state government in action from the Senate floor and question their legislators on key issues. They were also invited into the office of Secretary of State Jesse White.
During lunch, State Treasurer Michael W. Frerichs addressed students and chaperones and encouraged them to find where their passion lies. Frerichs said, “It doesn’t matter what you do if you love what you are doing. Find your own path. There may be times when you start down a path and diverge from it but listen to your heart. Sometimes you have to immerse yourself in something and possibly fail. Even when we don’t win, we learn from the experience.”
Collin Moseley, the 2018-19 Illinois Youth Leadership Council representative from Clay Electric Co-operative, Inc., reflected on the past year and the experiences he had on the Youth to Washington tour and his opportunity to represent Illinois at various meetings. He encouraged everyone going on the 2019 Youth to Washington Tour to apply to represent Illinois as the YLC and not be afraid to connect with others on the trip.
After lunch, the students visited the Old State Capitol and Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum.
At the end of the day, the students were interviewed for the chance to participate in the Youth to Washington tour, June 14-21, 2019. Those selected to represent McDonough Power Cooperative in Washington include Annie Powell from Macomb High School and Will Ornduff of United High School. Alternate winners include Whitley Cooper of Rushville-Industry High School and Erin Curley of Bushnell-Prairie City High School.
Pictured with Representative Norine Hammond are students: Iratze Aceves, Gavin Bergmann, Paige Blankenship, Taylor Carpenter, Brynn Chambers, Whitley Cooper, Erin Curley, Sarah Eden, McLain Engnell, Isaac Escapa, Reese Esther, Bella Gray, Colton Griggs, Lucy Gruidl, Jaxon Hiel, Peyton Jack, Will Ornduff, Kayla Pinedo, Annie Powell, Karli Strom, Logan Sumner, Kerem Tasdan, Dailenis Vera, Tommy Wilson, Erbenita Zejnul. 
McDonough Power Youth to Washington recipients and alternates pictured left to right include: Erin Curley, Whitley Cooper, Annie Powell, Will Ornduff.