Cooperative Living July 2024 - 11

COOPERATIVE FOCUS
PRIDE AND CONCERN
Waples is proud of her soon-to-be
background. I turned around to look at
him and thought to myself, 'Th at's what
this is all for.' It took the nerves right
away because I knew that's all that
matters. My family's here watching me,
and you really can't beat that. "
Rappahannock Electric Cooperative
" Having my family there
is always a great feeling. "
- Jake Parker, A&N Electric
Cooperative journeyman
apprentice Zach Carlisle, also attending
his fi rst rodeo, was supported by his wife,
Jessica, and their baby boy, Rudy,
cheering him on. " I've never seen him
climb before, " says a nervous Jessica as
Zach prepares for the pole-top rescue
event. " When you're at home and they
go to work, you really don't think about
it. But, when you see it fi rsthand, it
kind of sinks in ... how scary their job
actually is. "
Th e Gaff -n-Go Rodeo is intentionally
planned as a family event. With vendor
booths, food trucks, apparel sales, and a
variety of youth activities for children of
all ages, loved ones - children especially
- can stay entertained while waiting to
cheer on their lineworkers at each event.
Northern Virginia Electric
With several lineworkers competing
in their fi rst rodeo, their nervousness
was mirrored by the loved ones who
came to show support. Spouses, children,
parents, friends and coworkers gathered
throughout the event fi eld as
competitors displayed the skills, strength
and hard work required to keep the
lights on.
Choptank Electric Cooperative
apprentice Mason Johnson, competing
in his fi rst rodeo, describes the
experience as nerve-wracking. He says, " I
get up there. I'm literally shaking in my
boots, trying to fi gure out what I'm
going to do, and I just so happened to
catch my son laughing in the
co-opliving.com
Cooperative's Jake Till values the time
spent with his family each year. His
parents and fi ancée have supported him
for the past three years at the annual
rodeo. " It makes you feel good having
people who care about you come out and
support you, especially in the rain and
mud, " says Till. " I also really like
answering all their questions about
the rodeo and linework in general. "
Taylor Waples, whose fi ancée,
Cole Baker, competed for Delaware
Electric Cooperative, says that in
addition to the excitement, hard
work and dedication that goes into
preparing for the rodeo, she enjoyed
seeing families and coworkers
cheering for DEC lineworkers.
" I also got to witness our son, Reed,
cheering his daddy on for the fi rst time
this year, " she says about her third
experience at the Gaff -n-Go Rodeo.
July 2024 * Cooperative Living * 9
husband for fi nding a career that he loves
shortly aſt er graduating from high
school. " He comes home every night and
tells me about his day and all of the new
things he learned, " she says. " One of my
favorite things is when we're driving
and he says, 'I did that pole,' with a big
smile on his face. "
Recognizing the hazardous nature
of a lineworker's job, Waples also says,
" What worries me is one mistake could
make a life-altering change, causing him
to not come home to his family. " Th e
emphasis on safety is strictly enforced
at the rodeo and every day on the job.
" I know linework is a very dangerous
job, and I worry about Jake every day, "
says Patricia Parker, Jake Parker's mother.
" I am reassured that his employer
[ANEC] stresses safety fi rst. Linemen
look out for one another. Th at is how
I get to sleep each night. "
Parker's parents are proud of the
work he does, performing a service to the
community every day. " Th e community
truly respects and appreciates all our
(continued on page 10)
Jake Till,
NOVEC
http://www.co-opliving.com
Cooperative Living July 2024

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