What’s Inside Friends support beauty, wildlife, education in SW Oklahoma Page 5
Local organizations receive CoBank matching grants Page 9
The
Hearty stew tailor-made for St. Patrick’s celebrations Page 11
Current
A Publication of Cotton Electric Cooperative Inc.
“The Current - Informing Our Members Since 1957” VOLUME 69
March 13, 2026
NUMBER 7
High school students are set for Washington, D.C., this summer Cotton Electric is pleased to announce Abigail Bannister of Marlow High School and Aubrey Knapp of Central High School as the winners of the 2026 Youth Tour contest. After advancing through an essay competition and a video interview, Bannister and Knapp will represent the co-op in Washington, D.C., this summer. The two juniors showed great efforts with speaking ability, knowledge of subject, poise and personality throughout the competition. During Youth Tour, students will meet Oklahoma’s congressional delegation, learn about the cooperative business model and connect with other Youth Tour winners from across the country while touring historic sites, monuments and memorials in our nation’s capital. Below, you can learn more about our 2026 Youth Tour winners. Congratulations to Abigail Bannister and Aubrey Knapp.
Q: What subjects or areas of study are you most interested in? A: I plan to be a residential architect, studying architecture for the next several years. Q: Are you involved in any school extracurricular activities? A: I am a section leader and drum major in my high school band. Q: Why did you choose to apply for Youth Tour? A: My teachers, parents and even my grandma told me about it, and I was curious. After I learned more about the contest, I decided it was something I really wanted to enter and began working meticulously. Q: How do you think Youth Tour will impact your future goals or career path? Q: What subjects or areas of study are you most interested in? A: I am going to be an architect and planned to visit Washington, D.C., at A: English has always been my favorite, but music is a close second. I plan on some point during my studies. With this experience, I will see it all sooner and going into architecture and interior design in the future. even get an opportunity to visit another place during my future education. Q: Are you involved in any school extracurricular activities? Q: Have you been to Washington, D.C., before? A: I am the library club president, academic team co-captain, National Honor A: I have not. Society member, clarinet and oboe band member and art class level three stuQ: What are you looking forward to the most on Youth Tour? dent. A: I am looking forward to getting a view of the culture in Washington, D.C., Q: Why did you choose to apply for Youth Tour? and I am so excited to see the architecture, monuments and other artistic expresA: I thought the opportunity to see Washington, D.C., sounded so cool, and sions throughout the area. I’ve always thought essay writing was my strong suit. Q: What’s one thing or experience you want to bring back from Youth Q: How do you think Youth Tour will impact your future goals or career Tour to share with your friends or family? path? A: I am really excited to tell them all about the trip and the people I will meet A: I think Youth Tour will give me a greater love for travel, learning and meet- and show them all of the pictures I will get to take. ing people than what I already have. Q: What skills do you hope to develop and strengthen on Youth Tour? Q: Have you been to Washington, D.C., before? A: I am excited to meet all the others who won these contests and get to go, A: No, which is why I am so excited! and to improve my skills relative to meeting new people. Q: What are you looking forward to the most on Youth Tour? A: I am most excited to meet new people and visit all the monuments and memorials. Q: What’s one thing or experience you want to bring back from Youth Tour to share with your friends or family? A: Most people I know have never been to Washington, D.C., and I can’t wait to tell them all about it and everything I learned. Q: What skills do you hope to develop and strengthen on Youth Tour? A: I hope to strengthen my people skills and gain some experience being independent from my parents while traveling.
Power Cost Adjustment Calculated The power cost adjustment now being applied to bills mailed after March 1, 2026, is $0.01237 per kilowatt-hour (kWh). On a member’s average bill of 1,300 kWh, this will amount to a charge of $16.08 on the March bill.
February 2026 Temperature Extremes Day High Low 1 52 17 2 69 24 3 64 33 4 56 30 5 72 26 6 78 36 7 71 35 8 81 41 9 79 36 10 60 42 11 64 36 12 77 31 13 76 44 14 67 56 15 69 42
Source: srh.noaa.gov/oun/
Avg. 35 47 49 43 49 57 53 61 58 51 50 54 60 62 56
Day High Low 16 76 38 17 80 53 18 75 44 19 68 41 20 57 29 21 54 29 22 53 26 23 57 26 24 78 27 25 76 37 26 79 44 27 80 37 28 84 47
Average Daily High: 70 Average Daily Low: 36
Avg. 57 67 60 55 43 42 40 42 53 57 62 59 66
Did You Know?
Contact Us
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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 a line at Cotton Electric Current, 226 N. Broadway, Walters, OK 73572.
The next issue of The Current should arrive in mailboxes April 10, 2026.
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.