Youth Day 2018
State Senator Jil Tracy and Representative Norine Hammond met with students representing McDonough Power Cooperative and McDonough Telephone Cooperative during the Illinois Electric and Telephone Cooperatives Youth Day on Wednesday, April 18 in Springfield. More than 210 students from around Illinois had an opportunity to visit the State Capitol, view state government in action and question their legislators on key issues. They also were invited into the office of Secretary of State Jesse White.
During lunch, Lt. Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti addressed students and chaperones. Sanguinetti discussed her humble beginnings and being encouraged to not allow her background to limit her future. With her passion for volunteerism in local communities, she challenged students, “you never know where life may take you. Volunteer, make a difference. If not you, then who?” Illinois State Fair Manager Luke Sailer, a former Illinois Youth Leadership Council representative, challenged the students to take an interest in the political process and stressed how important their voices and actions are. He encouraged them to “take a leap of faith and work hard, and doors will open for you and your future.”
Faye Yang, the 2017-18 Illinois Youth Leadership Council Representative from Wayne-White Counties Electric Cooperative, spoke about her experiences on the Youth to Washington tour and challenged attendees to maintain an interest in their cooperatives and the political process. After lunch, the students also 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 8-15, 2018. Meagan Jackson of Macomb High School and Charles Hensley of Bushnell-Prairie City High School were chosen to represent McDonough Power Cooperative during Youth Tour. Johnnie Dean of West Prairie High School was selected to serve as an alternate.
Pictured with Senator Jil Tracy and Representative Norine Hammond are students Camila Bethell, Madeline Blaesing, Gibson Blankenship, Meadow Boden, Emma Bradford, Noah Bright, Emily Canter, Lillian Carter, Ashley Chancy, Taylor Combites, Nicholas Corman, Johnnie Dean, Charles Hensley, Meagan Jackson, Jacob Keever, Hunter Kienast, Alyson McMillen, William Ornduff, Riley Peterson, Anderson Poulter, Mackenzie Rhoads, Emily Richardson, Jordan Rouse, Olivia Salrin, Jakob Thomas and Bradley Weishaar; and chaperones Les Fowler and Kelly Hamm.
Youth Day is designed to introduce young rural leaders to state government. There were 24 co-ops from across the state represented at the event.