Kay Electric Cooperative’s annual eighth grade and junior youth contests wrapped up on the evening of February 22, 2024. This year, the students were required to complete an application process with junior finalists competing in an interview contest to determine final ranking. Thirty high school juniors competed for the opportunity to win a trip representing Oklahoma at NRECA’s Youth Tour in Washington, D.C., a trip to Steamboat Springs, CO for Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp, or cash prizes. First place in the junior contest went to Jackson Weibling from Garber High School and second place went to Brylen Liberton from Ponca City High School. They were awarded an all- expense paid trip to Washington D.C. on NRECA Youth Tour where they will represent the state of Oklahoma and will be joining more than 1,800 student leaders representing cooperatives across the nation. Third place went to Natalie Newland from Newland Home School and fourth place went to Zoe Sterling from Medford High School. They were awarded an all-expense paid trip to Steamboat Springs, CO to Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp where they will make new friends, listen to top speakers, and learn about the electric cooperative model. Fifth place went to Christian Walls of Deer Creek Lamont High School and sixth place went to Carter Barriger of Blackwell High School both receiving a cash prize of $300 dollars. Seventh place went to Dustin Brotherton of Billings High School and eighth place went to Hannah Jackson of Medford High School, both receiving a cash prize of $200 dollars.
The top four students in the eighth grader competition will attend Energy Camp, the 4-day summer camp designed to help student leaders grow in leadership development through team building and cooperation activities while also learning about rural electrification. Our top eighth grade students are Brynn Liberton of Ponca City Middle School, Kara Meyers of Billings Middle School, Jacie Schneeberger of Newkirk Middle School and Emmalyn Grantz of Garber Middle School.
Congratulations to all our winners. We are all very proud of you!
For more information on KEC’s youth contests, please visit www.kayelectric.coop/youth, or call KEC’s Youth Coordinator, Desiree Whitehead at 800-535-1079 for more information.
