Chozen Coleman of Wentzville was among the 85 high school students from across Missouri who participated in the Missouri Electric Cooperative CYCLE (Cooperative Youth Conference and Leadership Experience) program. The conference was held July 16-19 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Jefferson City. Coleman, who attends Liberty High School, was sponsored by Cuivre River Electric Cooperative.

Each year in July, these action-filled four 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. Rachel Scott’s family and friends speak to youth around the world about her legacy of being a positive role model to everyone she met in life. Students also toured the Missouri State Penitentiary in Jefferson City, MO and saw a live powerline demonstration as well as several electric vehicles at Central Electric Power Cooperative’s headquarters. For the first time in CYCLE’s great history the conference was extended to four days, with the extra day being a trip to St. Louis to tour the City Museum and enjoy an evening at Dave & Buster’s.

The CYCLE program is in its 21st 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 CREC’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, contact Tim Schmidt at 800-392-3709, ext. 4837 or email tschmidt@cuivre.com.