What’s Inside Cotton Electric member keeps the campfire burning for cowboy music and stories
Strengthening communities with Co-op Connections Page 5
Page 11
The
Save summer dinners with Shrimp Spaghetti Page 15
Current
A Publication of Cotton Electric Cooperative Inc.
“The Current - Informing Our Members Since 1957” VOLUME 68
July 18, 2025
NUMBER 11
Local students return from a lifetime opportunity in Washington, D.C. By Carli Eubank Since the announcement of this year’s Youth Tour winners in March, Cache High School junior Emmalee Fontenot and Geronimo High School junior Claire Roderigas had been anxiously waiting to attend the trip of a lifetime. Fontenot and Roderigas earned their spot on Youth Tour earlier this year after completing an essay contest and a live question-and-answer interview. Last month, the soonto-be seniors joined more than 60 other students representing electric cooperatives from across the state and country for the 2025 Youth Tour in Washington, D.C. Organized by the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives, the agenda for Youth Tour is packed with tours of monuments, memorials and museums; group networking and leadership opportunities; and engagement with elected officials, such as Senator Markwayne Mullin who led a tour of the Capitol. The Capitol tour, among other site visits, was a highlight of the trip for Fontenot. “I enjoyed how Senator Mullin made it a point to not only educate us on our nation’s government, but he also taught us how he effectively keeps a work-life balance,” Fontenot said. Other Youth Tour highlights that stood out to Fontenot were visiting with an off-duty guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, witnessing the
Changing of the Guard ceremony, making new friends on the river boat dinner, and stepping outside of her comfort zone. Roderigas’ Youth Tour most memorable experiences included watching the “surreal” live performance of The Little Mermaid at Toby’s Dine-In Theatre, visiting the prehistoric fossil exhibit at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, and experiencing the sombering moments while touring the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. “The most interesting part about the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum to me was not only what historical records were inside, but the silence that befell everyone before entering the museum,” Roderigas said. “That experience evoked a lot of thought and reflection with me ever since I returned home.” The beginning of Youth Tour starts with a group of students who are strangers to one another, with the exception of a few whose paths may have crossed in the past. But by the end of the trip, the memories and connections between students grow into lifelong friendships. “I submitted my Youth Tour essay for an English writing assignment with a ‘why not?’ mindset,” Roderigas said. “Somehow, in the end, I was accepted and went on the trip of a lifetime where you will come home with dozens of friends.”
(Pictured left to right) Claire Roderigas from Geronimo High School and Emmalee Fontenot from Cache High School represented Cotton Electric for the 2025 Youth Tour. Photo courtesy of Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives. While the days in Washington, D.C., are packed with tours and presentations, students also have opportunities to develop leadership skills. “I would encourage everyone to apply for Youth Tour because being selected is a lifetime opportunity where you experience things like no other,” Fontenot said. “Take the risk and get yourself out there.” For more information about Cotton Electric’s youth programs, call 580-875-3351 or visit www. cottonelectric.com/youth-programs.
More than 60 high school students representing Oklahoma electric cooperatives attended the 2025 Youth Tour. Photo courtesy of Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives.
Power Cost Adjustment Calculated The power cost adjustment now being applied to bills mailed after July 1, 2025, is $0.01564 per kilowatt-hour (kWh).
On a member’s average bill of 1,300 kWh, this will amount to a charge of $20.33 on the July bill.
June 2025 Temperature Extremes Day High Low 1 88 68 2 95 68 3 91 63 4 80 61 5 88 65 6 90 68 7 92 67 8 93 69 9 91 66 10 87 66 11 82 66 12 87 70 13 85 68 14 95 73 15 86 61
Source: srh.noaa.gov/oun/
Avg. 78 82 77 71 77 79 80 81 79 77 74 79 77 84 74
Day High Low 16 92 66 17 93 75 18 94 70 19 94 72 20 93 74 21 93 75 22 92 76 23 93 76 24 94 73 25 92 73 26 95 70 27 91 73 28 94 73 29 97 74 30 95 69
Average Daily High: 91 Average Daily Low: 70
Avg. 79 84 82 83 84 84 84 85 84 83 83 82 84 86 82
Did You Know? Cotton Electric offices will be closed Monday, Sept. 1, in observance of Labor Day. Emergency calls will be answered at 580-875-3351 or 800522-3520.
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 tric Current, 226 N. in mailboxes Aug. 15, Broadway, Walters, OK 2025. 73572.
Mission Statement Our mission is to safely deliver reliable and affordable power, provide excellent member service, and improve the quality of life in the communities we serve.