ATC (Adams Telephone) photo:
(l to r): Kate Lehne, Kameren Kuhn, and Jewel Hester
AEC (Adams Electric) photo:
(l to r): Zakkiyya Brent, Alexandra Borrowman and Kade Zanger
Springfield, IL – On April 18, 2018, 19 area sophomores and juniors met in Springfield for the 2018 Illinois Electric and Telephone Cooperative Youth Day. Twelve students represented Adams Electric Cooperative and seven students represented Adams Telephone Co-Operative.
After visiting the State Capitol, touring the Old Capitol and the Abraham Lincoln Museum, students participated in an interview competition. Two trips were awarded by each cooperative for the 2018 Youth to Washington contest. This year’s judges were Christina Harper, Connie Newenham, and Tootie Holmes from the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives. Winners were chosen based on applications and interviews.
The winners of Adams Electric Cooperative’s 59th Annual “Youth to Washington” contest were Alexandra Borrowman from Quincy Notre Dame High School, daughter of Richard and Larissa Borrowman, and Kade Zanger from Quincy Senior High School, son of Chuck and Bridgett Zanger. Zakkiyya Brent from Quincy Senior High School, daughter of Willie and Vanessa Brent, was named Alternate.
Winners representing Adams Telephone Co-Operative are Kate Lehne from Brown County High School, daughter of James and Gayle Lehne and Kameren Kuhn from Unity High School, son of Rob and Wendy Kuhn. Jewel Hester from Central High School, daughter of Jeremy and Jennifer Hester was named Alternate.
Alternates are eligible to go to Washington, D.C. if a winner is unable to attend. Alternates will receive $50.
Winners will join approximately 70 other high school students representing Illinois electric cooperatives on June 8, 2018 and travel to Washington, D.C. They will be accompanied by several chaperones and return to Springfield on June 15.
During the all expense-paid week in Washington, D.C., winners will join approximately 1,450 other students from 42 states for “Rural Electric Youth Week,” sponsored by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and electric cooperatives across the United States. Activities include touring the U.S. Capitol, Library of Congress, Arlington National Cemetery, Smithsonian Institute, Washington Monument and other national shrines. The group will also have an opportunity to meet their senators and representatives.
For more information on the Youth to Washington Contest, contact Adams Electric Cooperative at 800-232-4797 or Adams Telephone Co-Operative at 877-696-4611.
