Shelby Electric Cooperative Takes Area Students to Youth Day in Springfield

(Pictured above with Senator Chapin Rose and Representative Brad Halbrook are High School (HS) students representing Shelby Electric Cooperative at "Youth Day" in Springfield. Front row left to right: Cody Knodle of Nokomis HS, Logan Mathis of Stew-Stras HS, Sadie Zimmerman of Okaw Valley HS, Allison Oligschlaeger of Shelbyville HS, Ashley Bartels of Cowden-Herrick HS, Luke Senteney of Cowden-Herrick HS, Delaney Brooks of Meridian HS, Yeager Minott of Central A&M HS. Back row left to right: Anna Wooters of Okaw-Valley HS, Senator Chapin Rose, Calla Roney of Stew-Stras HS, Harrison Wooters of Shelbyville HS, Lucas Duduit of Pana HS, Emily Kuhn of Pana HS, Representative Brad Halbrook, Rebekah Follis of Nokomis HS)

State Senator Chapin Rose and Representatives Avery Bourne and Brad Halbrook met with students representing Shelby Electric Cooperative during the Illinois Electric and Telephone Cooperatives Youth Day 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. Participants selected to represent Shelby Electric Cooperative in Washington D.C. were Yeager Minott and Ashley Bartels. Alternates selected were Anna Wooters and Luke Senteney.

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.