Local Students Shine at Platte-Clay Electric Youth Tour Finals
Kearney, MO–Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative (PCEC) hosted the 2024 Rural Electric Youth Tour regional finals at their headquarters in Kearney on Wednesday. Six exceptional students showcased their understanding of the seven cooperative principles to a panel of three community judges. Out of this pool of extraordinary talent, Isabella Monachello from Smithville High School and Muhammad Ali Alrubaye from Liberty North High School emerged as the chosen ambassadors. Their remarkable achievements have earned them the opportunity to represent PCEC at the prestigious NRECA Youth Tour leadership development conference in Washington, D.C., this summer.
For the other four finalists, this is just the beginning of their journey. They have earned a unique and exciting opportunity to attend the Missouri Electric Cooperatives Youth CYCLE conference in Jefferson City. This July, Mackenzie Cole from Excelsior Springs High School, Noah Hazen from Smithville High School, Skylar Shipley from Kearney High School, and Mason Throm from Smithville High School will embark on a journey of learning, growth, and leadership.
This year’s theme asked students, “Which of the seven cooperative principles is the most important?” First, they were tasked with writing an essay on the topic, and from there, the top six essay writers prepared a 3-minute summary speech and slideshow to present in front of judges. All the students gave excellent presentations with clear information, which made it a tough decision for the judges. Ali had a powerful story of immigration and his community volunteer work, while Monachello gave a well-polished presentation on how cooperation in and amongst cooperatives makes them more successful.
The Rural Electric Youth Tour was started in 1957 by then-Senator Lyndon Johnson and continues to inspire and educate young leaders nationwide. In 1958, the first tour, sponsored by a rural electric cooperative in Iowa, welcomed 34 young individuals on a transformative week-long journey through Washington, DC. The initiative gained momentum, with other states sending busloads of students there throughout the summer.
By 1964, NRECA began stewarding the program and coordinated the tour that year, which welcomed approximately 400 young participants from 12 states. Since then, the Youth Tour has seen continued growth, reaching a peak in 2018 with over 1800 student delegates attending.
The Cooperative Youth Conference & Leadership Experience (CYCLE) is a three-day event held annually in July. It offers over 100 high school students a unique opportunity to explore Missouri’s government in Jefferson City and help them learn more about their team-building and leadership skills. From nationally renowned speakers to immersive experiences like tours of the Missouri State Capitol and the Missouri State Penitentiary.
All six finalists were awarded suitcases and gift cards for their upcoming travel. The youth tour is a great educational opportunity open to Juniors in high schools in the Platte-Clay Electric service area. For more information on the Rural Electric Youth Tour, visit https://pcec.coop/community/youth-tour-essay-contest/.
*note: the author of this article, Mackenzie Cole, was also a finalist in the Youth Tour competition.
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