For more than 60 years, the electric cooperatives of Illinois have given tomorrow’s leaders the opportunity to learn from today’s public officials. On March 5, approximately 200 high school students from across rural Illinois represented 22 co-ops during Youth Day, including 4 from Rural Electric Convenience Cooperative. (RECC)

“Youth Day offers students from across the state a firsthand experience of democracy in action as they engage with their elected representatives in Springfield,” said RECC  Member Service Liaison Julie Waghorn, who facilitates the cooperative’s programs. “This annual event provides state senators and representatives a chance to meet the next generation of leaders.”

In addition to meeting elected officials, the students also learned more about their electric cooperative’s role in their own communities. They had the opportunity to tour the Capitol Building and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.

State Senator Steve McClure, Representative Wayne Rosenthal, and Representative C.D. Davidsmeyer met with the four students representing the RECC. These students included:  Olivia Dowell, Logan Skinner, Lane Megginson, and Dallas Alavazarez.

At the end of the day, attendees were interviewed for a chance to participate in the Youth Tour, an annual trip to Washington, D.C. This year’s trip will be held June 16-23. Dallas Alavazarez of Auburn and Olivia Dowell of Girard were selected to represent RECC on the weeklong trip. They will meet their elected officials, see historical sites, learn how cooperatives work, and gain valuable leadership skills.