AEC (Adams Electric) photo: (l to r): Cassadi Forman, Grace Tenhouse, and Brooke Walbring
ATC (Adams Telephone) photo:
(l to r): Emily Lucie, Philip Hildebrand, and Grace Zanger
On March 29, 2017, 23 area sophomores and juniors met in Springfield for the 2017 Illinois Electric and Telephone Cooperative Youth Day. Thirteen students represented Adams Electric Cooperative and ten 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 2017 Youth to Washington contest. This year’s judges were Christina Harper, Connie Newenham, Kristin Banks, and John Lowrey from the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives. Winners were chosen based on applications and interviews.
The winners of Adams Electric Cooperative’s 58th Annual “Youth to Washington” contest were Cassadi Forman from Rushville-Industry High School, daughter of Chad and Sandi Forman, and Grace Tenhouse from Liberty High School, daughter of Boyd and Krista Tenhouse. Brooke Walbring from Quincy Senior High School, daughter of Matt and Lori Walbring was named Alternate.
Winners representing Adams Telephone Co-Operative are Philip (PJ) Hildebrand III from Unity High School, son of Philip and Lori Hildebrand and Emily Lucie from Warsaw High School, daughter of Steve and Jennifer Lucie. Grace Zanger from Unity High School, daughter of David and Amy Zanger 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 9, 2017 and travel to Washington, D.C. They will be accompanied by several chaperones and return to Springfield on June 16.
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.
