Springfield, IL — For more than 60 years, the electric and telephone 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 19 representing Adams Electric Cooperative and 9 representing Adams Telephone Co-Operative.
“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 Laura Bergman, Manager of Communications at the Adams Electric Cooperative and coordinator of its youth programs. “This annual event provides state senators and representatives a chance to inspire and support the next generation of leaders.”
In addition to meeting elected officials, the students also learned more about their electric or telephone cooperative’s role in their own communities and had the opportunity to tour the Capitol Building and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.
State Representatives Norine Hammond, Kyle Moore, and C.D. Davidsmeyer met with the students representing Adams Electric and Adams Telephone. These students included: Micah Anderson, Joie Ham, and Hayden Reische of Brown County High School; Maddox Roberts of Central High School; Keegan Buhlig of Griggsville-Perry High School; Phoebe Leblanc and Jake Masters of Liberty High School; Roxy Anderson, Amelia Chbeir, and Lydia Zanger of Quincy Senior High School; Roan Van Cleave, Alexander Stegner, and Jamen Tchapda of Quincy Notre Dame High School; Annabella Miller, and Azlynn Shannon of Rushville; Kyle Cornwell, Kodi Duke, Riley Epker, Emma Fleer, Abigail Hildebrand, Braylynn Hills, Destiny Jenkins, Logan Lansing, Claire Norsworthy, Aleanna Pedro, Grady Shaffer, Sadie Shoemaker, and Samantha Williams of Unity High School.
During lunch, Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs addressed the students. He shared his journey from a small town in Illinois to his current role, emphasizing the importance of finding interesting and challenging opportunities. He encouraged students to pursue their passions and take risks.
“When you push yourself outside your comfort zone, it’s uncomfortable at first, but you learn a lot,” Frerichs said. “I’m guessing this is a room of people who want to do big things.”
Participants also met Paris Van Dyke, the 2023-24 Illinois Youth Leadership Council representative, who was sponsored by Wabash Communications CO-OP during the 2023 Youth Day and Youth Tour in Washington, D.C. She spoke about her experiences representing Illinois’ electric and telephone cooperatives.
“I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for this experience two years ago, because I really got out of my box and decided to try something new,” Van Dyke said. “Be proud of yourself for sitting in the chairs that you are in today, because you have an opportunity that not very many students get. So, take advantage of that, and just remember to say yes to the opportunities that come your way.”
At the end of the day, attendees were interviewed for the chance to participate in Youth Tour, an annual trip to Washington, D.C., also sponsored by Illinois electric and telephone cooperatives. This year’s trip will be held June 16-23. During the weeklong trip, winners will meet their elected officials, see historic sites, learn firsthand how cooperatives work and gain valuable leadership skills.
The winners of Adams Electric Cooperative’s 64th Annual “Youth to Washington” contest were Jamen Tchapda from Quincy Notre Dame High School, daughter of Luc Tchapda, and Kodi Duke from Unity High School, daughter of Brian and Kodi Duke. Joie Ham from Brown County High School, daughter of Joe and Jessica Ham, was named Alternate.
Winners representing Adams Telephone Co-Operative are Abigail Hildebrand from Unity High School, daughter of Karen Hildebrand and Micah Anderson from Brown County High School, son of Michael and Jammie Anderson. Claire Norsworthy from Unity High School, daughter of Ryan and Pam Norsworthy, was named Alternate.
The Youth Tour Contest is open to high school sophomores and juniors. For more information on this program, contact Laura Bergman at (217) 509-7761 or Danielle Flesner at (217) 653-7805.
Students representing Adams Telephone Co-Operative (l-r): Alternate Claire Norsworthy, Winner Abigail Hildebrand, and Winner Micah Anderson.
Students representing Adams Electric Cooperative (l-r): Winner Jamen Tchapda, Winner Kodi Duke, and Alternate Joie Ham.