Local state representatives met with students from area schools during the Illinois Electric and Telephone Cooperatives Youth Day on Wednesday, April 13 in Springfield. More than 225 students from around Illinois had an opportunity to visit the State Capitol, view state government in action and question their legislators on key issues.
Pictured (L-R) are: Dana Smith, Manager of Member and Public Relations; Riley Jennings from Litchfield High School, Lucas Motley from Northwestern High School, Rep. Sara Wojcicki-Jimenez, Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer, Hannah Gudgel from Pawnee, and Sandy Lex, Executive Assistant at Rural Electric. The students also visited with Senators Sam McCann and Andy Manar at the Capitol.
Students also heard from Secretary of State Jesse White in his office. During lunch, Treasurer Michael Frerichs challenged the students to take an interest in the political process and encouraged them to follow their dreams and do what interests them because life can take interesting turns and twists.
While in Springfield, the students also toured the Old State Capitol and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum.
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, which has been held for nearly 50 years.
All three of the students in RECC’s group will be participating in the Youth to Washington Tour to be held June 10 – 17. Over 1,000 youths from around the country will be part of this educational event in our nation’s capital.