PIKE COUNTY, Mo. — Six area students sponsored by Cuivre River Electric Cooperate were among the 101 high school students from across the state who participated in the Missouri Electric Cooperative CYCLE (Cooperative Youth Conference and Leadership Experience) program.

The conference was held July 19-21 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Jefferson City.

The local delegates were McKenna Claborn and Cecelia Southerland, Silex High School; Collin Calhoun, Bowling Green High School; Josh Harvey, Clopton High School; Nina Momphard, Troy Buchanan High School; and Paige Harrell, North Point High School.

Each year in July, this action-filled three days provides high school students opportunities to learn first-hand 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 like the “build a cooperative” game.

Another highlight was hearing from the Rachel’s Challenge Organization, which was created after the Columbine High School shooting. Rachel’s family and friends speak to youth around the world about Rachel’s legacy of being a positive role model to everyone she met in life. Students also toured the Missouri State Penitentiary in Jefferson City and saw a live powerline demonstration as well as several electric vehicles at Central Electric Power Cooperative’s headquarters.

The CYCLE program is in its 20th 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 Cuivre River’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.

Cuivre River Electric Cooperative is the largest member-owned electric distribution cooperative in Missouri. It provides service to more than 70,000 residential, business, commercial, industrial and agricultural members in Lincoln, Pike, St. Charles, Warren and Montgomery counties.