Grundy Electric Cooperative has announced the selection of local juniors from area schools to attend youth leadership conferences this summer. Kaleb McCallon and Jacob Horton, both students at Trenton R-9 in Trenton, have been named finalists for the Youth Tour Leadership Conference, earning them a trip to Washington, D.C. this June.
The Rural Electric Youth Tour is a week-long event that gathers approximately 1,500 high school juniors from across the United States in the nation’s capital. During this event, students have the opportunity to learn about the government, cooperatives, and the concept of rural electrification. More than 100 students from Missouri, including McCallon and Horton, will join their peers in Washington, D.C. to develop their leadership skills and meet with congressional leaders.
In addition to the Youth Tour Leadership Conference, juniors Hayden Cox of Bethany and Madalyn Tipton of Princeton have been awarded places in the Cooperative Youth Conference and Leadership Experience (CYCLE) held in Jefferson City. Cox is a student at South Harrison, while Tipton attends Princeton R-5.
The CYCLE program is a three-day leadership conference taking place in July, aimed at educating students about electric cooperatives, enhancing leadership skills, and offering insights into Missouri’s state government. The conference features presentations from nationally recognized speakers, tours of Missouri museums, and a day at the state capitol, providing a comprehensive leadership experience.
To be considered for these opportunities, students were required to submit applications detailing their community involvement, school activities, achievements, and references, along with an essay. Following the application process, a panel of judges conducted interviews with each finalist before selecting four delegates to represent Grundy Electric at these conferences.
