Youth Programs

Central has dedicated itself to educating by offering a variety of programs designed to teach youth about electrical safety, leadership and the world of cooperatives. Not only have we made an investment in our members, but also we have expanded that investment to include all children within our service area.

Be Safety Smart
An elementary program designed to teach students in the first and second grades about electric safety. Everyone enjoys the many conveniences of electricity, but too often it is taken for granted and we forget how dangerous electricity can be. Be Safety Smart emphasizes these points and introduces the students to some of the equipment that linemen wear on the job. Central also has an electric safety demo unit that features Neon Leon and Lightning Liz. Leon and Liz are made to make unsafe decisions and get “zapped” when they neglect to Be Safety Smart. This is a program the kids really enjoy, yet it reminds them of lessons we all need to know. Together, with Louie the Lightning Bug, students and Central will learn what it means to Be Safety Smart. Contact Central to schedule a safety presentation for your class or student organization!

Youth Tour

Applications are now being accepted for the 2022 Youth Tour contest sponsored by Central Rural Electric Cooperative. Youth Tour is a two-part competition open to high school juniors living and attending school in Central’s service area. Students participate by writing an essay, developing a résumé and submitting an application on Central’s website. A group of judges will review the entries and select five students to interview. The top two winners will win a one-week, all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. with other Youth Tour winners from electric cooperatives across the nation. Winners will meet members of congress, visit monuments, historic sights and Smithsonian museums. Three runner-up applicants will receive $1,000 scholarships.

Contest Guidelines

1. Applicants must be members of the 2021-22 Junior Class in a school within the Central service territory.
2. After a review of the applications, five students will be selected for final interviews. Two of those will be awarded an all-expense trip to Washington D.C. The three remaining students will  receive $1,000 scholarships.
3. Applicants must be able to participate in the interview process by appointment during the week of March 8-9, 2022 at Central, 3305 S. Boomer Rd., Stillwater, OK. More details will be provided to those selected for interviews.

Application

1. Each applicant shall submit a completed application online.
2. Entries must be received by Friday, February 11, at 5 p.m.
3. All applications become the property of Central Rural Electric Cooperative.

Contest Judging

1. All applications will be reviewed by judges chosen by Central.
2. Five students will be selected for interviews based on their essay.
3. Judges will choose two winners based upon the following criteria:

• 25% Written Application & Resumé
  • School, community and work activities
• 25% Essay
  • Essay should be an original work of 600 to 800 words typed and double spaced on 8½” x 11” paper.
  • No name should appear on the essay but must be included on the cover sheet.
  • Correct usage of words, punctuation, spelling and sentence structure.
  • Recognizable point being made and solid support of your view.
• 50% Interview
  • Knowledge of electric cooperatives
  • Responses to interview questions
  • Poise and Personality (overall presentation)

Essay Topic

“How can social media help an electric cooperative interact with its members and better understand their needs and concerns?”

Questions concerning the contest should be directed to Kory Frazier, at kfrazier@mycentral.coop or 405-372-2884