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Current
A Publication of Cotton Electric Cooperative Inc.
“The Current - Informing Our Members Since 1957” VOLUME 66
July 17, 2023
NUMBER 11
Local students get a chance to explore nation’s capitol By Carli Eubank After completing an essay competition, a live question-and-answer interview and a video speech, Cotton Electric member and Marlow High School junior Owen Long earned himself a spot on the 2023 Youth Tour. Long joined more than 70 other students from Oklahoma electric cooperatives for a special opportunity in Washington D.C. Cotton Electric Director of Marketing and Communications Zach Young also attended as a chaperone. Once the group landed in Washington D.C., they began their adventure following a packed itinerary arranged by Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives. Even though Long had visited Washington D.C. before, he was excited to go back and see more sights. Walking mile after mile, the group visited some of our country’s greatest monuments and memorials, including the Capitol. “My favorite part was getting to go on a tour led by Senator Markwayne Mullin through the Capitol,” Long said. “It was really nice because not everyone gets an opportunity like that, and we got to see everything, sit on the House floor, and ask Senator Mullin questions. It was a really good experience.” Days on Youth Tour are fast-paced, trying to get to the next exciting site on the schedule; however, there are some moments that allow yourself to slow down and reflect on what’s around you. “Going back to Arlington National Cemetery was a big take-your-breath-away moment because even though I had seen it before, you never get used to visiting a place of respect like that,” Long said. “It has an atmosphere that is so hard to explain.” Getting to tour museums and visit monuments aren’t the only benefits of Youth Tour; students get to form life-long friendships. Meeting more than 70 students can feel overwhelming at first, but exploring a new city and making memories along the way makes connecting with one another part of the fun.
Zach Young and Owen Long meet other students and chaperones in the 2023 Youth Tour group before leaving for Washington D.C.
Power Cost Adjustment Calculated The power cost adjustment now being applied to bills mailed after July 1, 2023, is $0.00615per kWh.
On a member’s average bill of 1,300 kilowatt hours (kWh), this will amount to a charge of $7.99 on the July bill.
2023 Youth Tour students in front of George Washington’s mansion. Photo courtesy of OAEC. “When you’re away from home, you get to expe“We were busy from the moment we arrived in Washington D.C., but at the same time, we got to rience a new way of life,” Cantwell said. “On Youth meet so many new people and see places we never Tour, you are surrounded by others from smaller ruthought we’d be able to see,” Long said. “It is a once- ral communities, and we all get to experience a new in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I want to thank Cot- place while discussing different views and perspecton Electric for helping me go.” tives. It was really neat getting to learn their stories.” Also representing Oklahoma was one of Cotton Cantwell also enjoyed learning more about the Electric’s members and a 2020 Youth Tour finalist, impact cooperatives make within local communities Olivia Cantwell. The now college student at South- and across the world with the Energy Trails projects. western Assemblies of God University traded in “Before Youth Tour, I knew what a co-op was, her virtual experience for an in-person trip with the but I didn’t realize how important they are until I Blue Shirts program. The National Rural Electric learned about what all they do and how they give Cooperatives of America (NRECA) program is for a voice for rural communities,” Cantwell said. “I past Youth Tour participants who want to apply to wouldn’t have had this opportunity without Cotton help with Youth Tour logistics. Electric, and it’s important for me to thank the co“After the 2020 Youth Tour, I followed multiple cooperative social media accounts, including NRE- op for taking a chance on me.” For more information about Cotton Electric’s CA,” Cantwell said. “When I saw applications for Blue Shirts opened, I thought this could be an op- youth programs, visit www.cottonelectric.com/ portunity to go to Washington D.C. since my first youth-programs or follow us on social media. experience was virtual. So, I submitted an application and ended up being accepted.” Cantwell was one out of 11 individuals selected to be part of the Blue Shirts. In the evenings, they interacted with students, sold Youth Tour merchandise, set up a game room area, and more. Some of Cantwell’s favorite memories were getting to experience “The Lion King” Broadway show at the Kennedy Center, learning cool facts about historical monuments, and getting to connect with her fellow Blue Shirts.
Owen Long was the finalist in the 2023 Cotton Electric Youth Tour Essay Contest. Photo courtest of OAEC.
June 2023 Temperature Extremes Day High Low 1 88 66 2 90 65 3 83 64 4 86 63 5 89 65 6 89 64 7 89 63 8 89 62 9 96 64 10 93 67 11 95 66 12 76 62 13 80 64 14 90 65 15 94 63
Source: srh.noaa.gov/oun/
Avg. 77 78 74 75 77 77 76 76 80 80 81 69 72 78 79
Day High Low 16 89 67 17 90 65 18 90 63 19 95 63 20 97 78 21 90 76 22 90 73 23 88 71 24 102 68 25 100 71 26 96 76 27 98 75 28 110 72 29 106 69 30 99 74
Average Daily High: 93 Average Daily Low: 68
Avg. 78 78 77 79 88 83 82 80 85 86 86 87 91 88 87
Did You Know? Have you downloaded the SmartHub app? With SmartHub, co-op members can check energy use, pay power bills and more! Download SmartHub in Google Play or the Apple Store.
Olivia Cantwell was one of NRECA’s Blue Shirts for the 2023 Youth Tour. Photo courtesy of Olivia Cantwell.
Contact Us
Do you have a story idea for The Current or do you need to place an ad? If so, let us know. We can be reached at 580-875-3351 or by email at TheCurrent@ cottonelectric.com. You can also drop us The next issue of The a line at Cotton ElecCurrent should arrive in tric Current, 226 N. mailboxes on Aug. 14, Broadway, Walters, OK 2023. 73572.
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