168 students along side of their 24 telephone and electric cooperative sponsors from across Illinois gathered at the State Capitol on March 25 for Youth Day.

Youth Day is an annual event designed to introduce students to state government, leadership, and the cooperative model that serves their communities.

Represenatives of Shelby Electric Cooperative were Haley Key and Jack Clark of Shelbyville, Kooper Cole of Tower Hill, Lilly Jostes of Pana, Grady Spannagel and Shae Conder of Stewardson, Hezekiah Wiegand of Findlay, and Elizabeth Hampton of Windsor.

Throughout the day, the group of students toured the Capitol, observed government operations, and met with elected officials, including State Senator, Steve McClure, and Illinois State Treasurer, Michael Frerichs.

While Frerichs was adressing the students, he shared his experience growing up in a small Illinois community and told the tale of the journey from small town Illinois to becoming the State Treasurer. Frerichs’ address to the students focused on encouraging them to remain engaged, continue learning, and pursue their goals.

Organizers said the event reflects a continued commitment by cooperatives to invest in youth and promote civic involvement among the next generation of leaders.

At the end of the day, students interviewed for the annual Youth Tour, which is a weeklong leadership trip to Washington, DC. Shae Conder and Elizabeth Hampton were selected to represent Shelby Electric Cooperative on the trip, where they will visit historic sites, learn more about government, and further develop leadership skills.

Left: Elizabeth Hampton Right: Shae Conder. Elected to represent Shelby Electric Cooperative on the Youth Tour Trip.

The Youth Tour is scheduled to take place June 15th through June 22nd of this year.

For more details go to shelbyelectric.coop