COLUMBUS — Students from three Richland County high schools participated in Firelands Electric’s recent Cooperative Youth Day at the Ohio Statehouse.
The 18 area students who took part in the Oct. 23 trip were selected from more than 30 applications received from high schools throughout the four counties that Firelands Electric serves.
Firelands Electric’s participants joined students from Ohio electric cooperatives Lorain-Medina Rural Electric (LMRE) in Spencer and North Central Electric in Attica for the day-long event, which encouraged participation in the legislative process and gave attendees an opportunity to witness state government in action.
More than 50 students representing the three co-ops toured the Ohio Statehouse and met with legislators from both the House of Representatives and Senate.
Students from Ashland, Crestview, Loudonville, Lucas, Monroeville, Shelby, St. Paul, Wellington, and Willard high schools represented Firelands Electric on the trip.
Throughout the day, they met with state representatives Kellie Deeter, Sharon Ray, and Gary Click.
Staffers from the office of Senator Theresa Gavarone reviewed internship opportunities at the Statehouse, while representatives from Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives spoke about the role of government in the daily operations of an electric cooperative.
Youth Day participants were encouraged to ask questions regarding the legislative process, current issues on the state and national level, and pursuing political careers.
“This trip is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for students and future co-op members to get an in-depth look at the legislative process on the state level,” Firelands Communications and Member Relations Specialist Tracy Gibb said.
“Firelands hopes to continue our partnership with our neighboring co-ops to offer Cooperative Youth Day for years to come.”
Firelands Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative, is a member-owned, not for-profit electric utility serving more than 9,200 homes and businesses in rural areas of Ashland, Huron, Lorain, and Richland counties.
For information about all of the youth programs that Firelands Electric Cooperative offers, visit www.firelandsec.com/community.
Additional photos from this year’s Youth Day can be viewed at
www.flickr.com/photos/firelandsec/albums.