Rural Missouri - September 2019 - 10

Rural youth take the ride of their lives
by Zach Smith | zsmith@ruralmissouri.coop
Photos by Heather Berry | hberry@ruralmissouri.coop

to be a lineworker and the other job opportunities available at co-ops.
New to the program this year was a ﬁeld trip to Fulton. First, delegates toured the Churchill National Museum at Westminster University to learn about the life and leadership qualities of former British
Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Next up was Callaway Electric
or more than 15 years, Missouri's electric cooperatives have invitCooperative, where Assistant Manager Clint Smith gave students
ed high school students to spend part of their summer in a difJefferson
a live line demonstration in electric safety and showed them the
ferent sort of classroom. Some of the subjects such as science
City
co-op's electric car.
and history are familiar, but some of the projects are not. It may
A highlight of the experience is the opportunity for delegates
not be common for summer school to involve acting out public service
to debate a mock bill on the ﬂoor of the Missouri House of Repannouncements or building an electric cooperative, but it's all part of
resentatives. Students follow the typical legislative procedure
the ride at CYCLE.
This year, 95 delegates were sponsored by 35 rural electric cooperatives and used by the Missouri General Assembly to ask each other questions about, make
the Missouri Institute of Cooperatives to make up the 16th annual Cooperative amendments to and possibly pass the bill.
"It was a good experience being there, hearYouth Conference and Leadership
ing everyone else's sides and to be in the atmoExperience. The purpose of the threesphere of it," says Faith Stewart, who was
day program is to develop the leadersponsored by Howell-Oregon Electric Coopship skills of Missouri's youth toward
erative.
becoming the leaders of tomorrow.
This year's delegation received a surprise
Along the way, CYCLE delegates get
during the debate when Gov. Mike Parson
to know their peers from around the
stopped by the chamber and invited the group
state through group activities and
on a personal tour of the Governor's Ofﬁce.
ﬁeld trips.
Gov. Parson, a Southwest Electric Coopera"CYCLE is a unique opportunity for
tive member, pointed out some of the intereststudents to learn how they can make
ing historical details in the room's design and
a positive impact on the world around
decor to the students. He also ﬁelded questhem," says Chris Massman, vice
tions from the group about his duties as the
president of member services for the
state's highest elected ofﬁcial.
Association of Missouri Electric CoopAfter a hard day's work, it's time to enjoy
eratives, which organizes the event.
some well-earned rest and relaxation. The
"Watching them connect and develop
busiest day of CYCLE was capped by a barbethose skills are what make it such
cue and games in Jefferson City's Ellis Porter
an important program for the electric
Park. Within little more than a day of knowcooperatives."
ing one another, nearly 100 strangers have
The foundation of the CYCLE pronot only learned more about themselves, their
gram is demonstrating how youth
state and electric cooperatives, but also have
can be difference makers in their own
made close friends.
lives as well as those of their family
"My favorite part about CYCLE was having
and friends and in their schools and Top: Students pose for a photo with a piece of the Berlin Wall at the National Churchill
communities. One of the most powerful Museum in Fulton. Above: Team-building activities, including the Build-A-Cooperative so many leaders from different communities
presentations is delivered by Rachel's game, shown above, challenge CYCLE delegates to demonstrate their knowledge of get together, and being able to build with them
and get new ideas for our communities," says
Challenge. Named after Rachel Scott, Missouri's electric cooperatives.
Rachael Deckard, who was sponsored by Webthe ﬁrst person killed in the Columbine High School shooting, the nonproﬁt organization shares Rachel's story in the ster Electric Cooperative. "This would not have been possible without a co-op to
sponsor and send us here. It really shows that our cooperative wants to give back
hopes of reducing violence and bullying in the nation's schools.
Along the way students receive a crash course in electricity and the co-op to the students."
business model. Staff from AMEC and Central Electric Power Cooperative cover
everything from electric cooperative history to how electric power is created and
For more information on CYCLE and other AMEC youth programs, contact
brought to their homes. Students also learn about Missouri's International Pro- Chris Massman at cmassman@amec.coop or call 573-659-3437. You can also
gram to electrify communities in developing countries, the skills and tools it takes ﬁnd more information at www.amec.org/content/cycle.

RURAL MISSOURI | SEPTEMBER 2019

http://www.amec.org/content/cycle

Rural Missouri - September 2019

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