Oklahoma Youth Tour offers real-world experience that could be helpful in job and college interviews, as well as valuable leadership and public speaking opportunities.

It is a two-part competition open to high school juniors living and attending school in IEC’s service area.

Students participate by writing a speech and creating a short video about rural electric cooperatives. Then, four finalists give their presentation to judges.

Two winners are selected for an expenses-paid tour of Washington D.C. on June 16-22, 2023, with winners from other Oklahoma co-ops. The other two finalists are awarded a trip to Leadership Youth Camp in Steamboat Springs, Colo. on July 14-20, 2023.

For more information email Brandi Ball at bball@iecok.com

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Contest Guidelines

To apply you:

1. Must be a high school junior in the IEC service area

2. Type an original speech (500-1,000 words)

3. Create a 1-2 minute video

4. Upload the materials and complete the entry form on our website by January 31, 2023 at 12 p.m.

 

2023 YOUTH TOUR SPEECH

TOPIC: "Indian Electric Cooperative distributes power that is generated from a variety of sources, both renewable and non-renewable. What are the positives and negatives of using ONLY renewable energy?"

SPEECH CRITERIA

• Write an original speech of 500-1,000 words on the topic provided.
• Speech must be typed and double-spaced on 8 1/2" X 11" paper.
• Your name SHOULD NOT appear on the speech you upload. Judges determine the finalists based on blind copies to avoid any show of preferential treatment.
• The finalists chosen will present their speech at a lunch reception in February.

 

2023 COOPERATIVE DIFFERENCE VIDEO

COOPERATIVE: An autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically-controlled enterprise.

The cooperative business model was created in the 1800s on the values of self-help, self-responsibility, equality, equity, democracy and solidarity.

With those values in mind, today co-ops operate under the 7 Cooperative Principles:

1. Voluntary & Open Membership
2. Democratic Member Control
3. Member Economic Participation
4. Autonomy & Independence
5. Education, Training & Information
6. Cooperation Among Cooperatives
7. Commitment to Community
    

COOPERATIVE DIFFERENCE VIDEO CRITERIA

• Research and familiarize yourself with the distinctive qualities of cooperatives. 
• Record a video (no longer than 2 minutes) about the “Cooperative Difference” – how are co-ops unique?
• Have fun with this component and show off your creativity!
• The videos from finalists will be shown at the reception in February. It will be figured into the overall presentation category of scoring by judges.
• Record your video horizontally (if using phone or tablet). Vertical submissions will not be accepted.