Youth Rally

Recently, the Midstate Electric board of directors awarded expense-paid trips to three La Pine High School students to attend an electric utility industry Youth Rally held in Caldwell, Idaho during this past July. This is the third year Midstate Electric has participated in the Rally.Karlee Harris—returning director, Sam Pajunen and Carmen Pierce attended the camp along with 80 other students representing electric cooperatives from Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming and Alaska.

The Youth Rally marked its 23rd anniversary this year and is sponsored by the Idaho Consumer-owned Utilities Association (ICUA). The one-week rural electric program for high school sophomores and juniors helps develop leadership skills and focuses on issues facing teenagers. Students learn about the history of the rural electrification program and potential careers in the industry, as well as how cooperatives are formed, what decisions need to be made by boards of directors and how these decision-makers have an impact on the rates paid by consumer-members.

Activities during the week included presentations by several public power leaders and a tour of the historic Swan Falls Dam. U.S. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for Idaho, Monte Stiles, gave a riveting presentation on alcohol, drug and gang awareness with examples of actual cases prosecuted in the state of Idaho.

The participants learn valuable leadership and communication skills while engaging in a variety of activities and games. Through personal experience and interaction with their peers, the students learn how much more can be accomplished through teamwork and a cooperative spirit rather than trying to accomplish things individually.

The summer camp also incorporates fun activities for the kids, including bowling, dances, outdoor barbecues, an ice cream social and trips to a big outdoor water park and an indoor roller rink.

Each delegate is judged through-out the week long conference on their participation and leadership qualities. Their scores are the basis for awarding scholarships that range from $300 to $600. Approximately one-fourth of the 80 young people attending are awarded a scholarship.