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Missouri Electric Co-op CYCLE Means Education and Fun

JEFFERSON CITY, MO —  Eighty-two high school students from across Missouri recently participated in the Electric Cooperative C.Y.C.L.E. program. C.Y.C.L.E. stands for Cooperative Youth Conference and Leadership Experience. The conference was held July 15-17, 2009, in Jefferson City. Selected as outstanding young leaders Kelsey Arnold, Shelby Bailey and Kristen Buttig, sponsored by Lewis County Electric Cooperative in Lewistown.
Each year in July, an action-filled three days provides high school students opportunities to learn first-hand what it is like to be involved in politics, the cooperative form of business and being a leader. The program included nationally known speakers, a day at the Missouri State Capitol and education about electric cooperatives. The group was also divided up into smaller teams that competed in various events like the “build a cooperative” game. One highlight was hearing from the Rachel’s Challenge group. This national program was founded by the father of Rachel Scott who was tragically killed in the Columbine High School shooting in 1999. Their challenge is to make a positive difference in your school and community.  
The CYCLE program is in its sixth year, and has received the National Community Youth Service award for the top youth program among all electric cooperatives in the country.  For more information, please go to http://www.amec.org/youth.html#cycle.