Empowered is a monthly newsletter for members of
YOUTH RETURN FROM WASHINGTON D.C. Annual Youth Tour competition sends two Central students to Washington D.C.
In 1957, President Lyndon B. Johnson, then a U.S. Senator from Texas, inspired the creation of Youth Tour when he called on electric cooperatives to send young people to Washington to “see what the flag stands for and represents.”
selected the top two which were given the opportunity to go on the trip, the remaining four received scholarships.
Stillwater High School students Tanner Thomas and Paeton Watkins n SEE “YOUTH TOUR,” PAGE 3
More than 50 years later, the program is still going strong and shaping young minds. This year, electric cooperatives across the nation sent 1,800 delegates and chaperons to our nation’s capital. Two of those were from Central’s service area and sponsored by Central Electric Cooperative. Central’s Youth Tour competition is open to all service area high school juniors. Students submitted essays and the top six students were invited to present their entries at a Youth Tour banquet. Judges
Tanner Thomas and Paeton Watkins, both of Stillwater, attended the 2019 Oklahoma Youth Tour in Washington D.C. on June 14-20, 2019.
HABBEN RETIRES FROM BOARD Central Electric Cooperative district eight trustee Clyde “Buddy” Habben announced his retirement from the board of trustees in August following 44 years of service to the cooperative and its members. Habben, who joined the board in 1975, represented members in Oklahoma and southern Logan counties. He and his wife, Nettie, are longtime residents of Luther, where he has worked as a farmer and
rancher. He is an active supporter of the Luther FFA where he has received several awards for his tireless support. Habben has achieved the Credentialed Cooperative Director, Board Leadership and Director Gold certifications from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. The board of trustees is notifying District 8 members of the process for filling the vacancy according to the co-op bylaws.
District 8 Board of Trustee member, Clyde Habben
YOUTH TOUR EXPERIENCE Take aways from 2019 Youth Tour winners
What was the most memorable part of your trip?
SEPTEMBER 2019 Central Board of Trustees: Bill Davis, President (District 7) Gary McCune, Vice President (District 1) Carol Dvorak, Secretary/Treasurer (District 3) Stu Preston (District 2) Len Tontz (District 4) Mark Pittman (District 5) Raymond Nettles (District 6) Hunter Robinson - Chief Executive Officer Empowered Editors: Daniel Thrasher - Executive VP of Business Development and Communications Larry Mattox - Director of Communications Cordelle Elsener - Communications Specialist
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Contact Us: editor@MyCentral.coop 405-372-2884 | 800-375-2884 3305 S. Boomer Rd. | P.O. Box 1809 Stillwater, OK 74076 Notice: Central’s office will be closed Monday, September 2, 2019 for Labor Day. 2018 Audited Financials are available at https://mycentral.coop/annual-report
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Paeton: For me, the most memorable part of my trip was standing in the Hall of Archives and looking at the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights. I’ve always considered myself to be proud of my country. However, the feeling you get standing there is an entirely different sense of patriotism. If you don’t know what it feels like to love your country and want to protect it at all costs, even despite its flaws, you do know that feeling standing in that room. Tanner: My favorite part was seeing all of the monuments in person, but specifically the time at Arlington cemetery was special to me. The environment there was surreal, very similar to the Vietnam wall. It was absolutely silent, and everyone there was so respectful.
What was your biggest take away from the trip? Paeton: When you’re wandering through D.C., and you’re right there with all the history, staring it in the face, it forces you to make a realization. You realize that the presidents leading our country, the authors of documents imperative to our country, people like Martin Luther King Jr. were, at some point, exactly what I am now: a young adult hoping to leave the world a bit better than it was when I got here. So, if they can do it, why can’t we? It gives you a sense of empowerment. Tanner: It hit me at Arlington that everyone buried there died for the America that we
live in today. They didn’t die for a political party and they didn’t die to protect only a portion of the American people. I guess that I’d say my biggest take away was how ridiculous it is to get completely hardened towards half of the country just because they have different opinions than you.
What would you say to a high school junior considering entering the competition? Paeton: I would start by sharing my experience. I wanted to go to D.C. so badly, but I was intimidated by the idea of writing an essay on something I didn’t know much about: energy. I didn’t particularly care about energy at the time either, so it seemed impossible. I nearly didn’t enter. I’m so glad I did. Not only did I win a trip of a lifetime where I not only saw history first hand and built strong relationships with other like-minded young adults, but I found that energy and cooperative business are things I am fascinated by and could even see myself having a career in. Youth Tour changed me as a person in the best way. Applying was one of the best decisions I’ve made. Tanner: There is absolutely no reason to not enter! You get the experience of a lifetime completely paid for by the generous electric cooperatives, take advantage of the opportunity!
Is there anything you would like to add? Paeton: I would just like to take the opportunity to express my gratitude. I am so eternally grateful that CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE Ê
Central’s board and membership support Youth Programs like this. Without your support, I would never have gotten this life changing experience. I hope this program never comes to a halt at Central, it truly is amazing. Tanner: I am so incredibly grateful that you all chose to make a difference in my
life. I don’t know that I’ll ever get to go back, but I promise that this trip is definitely the only time in the very near future that I would have the chance to experience these things. The experiences of this trip were truly priceless, and I hope that the others who come after me continue to fully appreciate you all for supporting this trip!
n YOUTH TOUR
“We’re very proud of Tanner and Paeton for representing Central in Washington, D.C.” said Hunter
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Red Brick Nights, music, 7 Guthrie vendors, food trucks, more info at guthriechamber.com
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were selected to represent Central on Youth Tour. The two joined 69 other Oklahoma students for the trip to Washington D.C. The trip included tours of multiple Smithsonian museums; national monuments, like the Jefferson and Lincoln monuments; the Supreme Court; Arlington National Cemetery; and had the opportunity to tour the White House. The students also met with Oklahoma’s federal delegation and had a private tour of the U.S. Capitol by Oklahoma Congressman Markwayne Mullin.
events
Robinson, CEO of Central Electric Cooperative. “Youth Tour provides students with the opportunity to experience things they might not otherwise have the opportunity to see.” Central will begin the 2020 Youth Tour contest this fall with essays/videos due October 4, 2019. The topic is, “Briefly discuss the seven cooperative principles. Which do you think is most important and why?” More information on the 2020 Youth Tour contest can be found on the Central website at: https://mycentral. coop/youth-programs
Maker Days, arts and crafts at 7 Guthrie various locations in Guthrie, all day, more info at guthriechamber.com
Medical Center Foundation 13 Stillwater Tin-Cup Golf Tournament, Stillwater Country Club
Day and Fly In at the 14 Community Guthrie-Edmond Regional Airport
more info at guthriechamber.com
Cherokee Strip Celebration, 14 Perry Oklahoma’s longest running festival, more info at perryokchamber.com
Food Trucks & Tunes, 20 Stillwater downtown, first responder night more info at stillwaterchamber.org
Festival in the Park, arts and 28 Cushing crafts, vendors, artist booths, more info
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2 heavy duty aircraft tires on implement wheels, tubeless, 6 hole, 35x11x18”, call 405-831-7524
Dr. Myers Chiropractic – Luther • Real “Hands-on” physical adjustment $35 total office visit. • Truck Driver DOT health card $75. • Truck Driver DOT drug test $45. • Truck Driver DOT alcohol test $45. • Truck Owner FMCSA (DOT) Compliant Randomized Drug Testing Program (Consortium) Call 405-277-3325
Looking for copies of Perkins (OK) Journal from 20s, 30s, and 40s, call 405-743-5631
Troy Bilt tiller rear tine 4HP $250, call 405-372-7459
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LOOK UP, LOOK AROUND, STAY SAFE Tips for farming near electric rights-of-way Farming is among the more dangerous occupations for several reasons, including potential for encounters with electrical hazards. Before taking to the fields, Central urges farmers to be aware of overhead power lines and to keep equipment far away from them. We encourage farm managers to share this information with their families and workers to keep them safe: Z Start each morning by planning your day’s work. Know what jobs will happen near power lines and have a plan to keep workers safe. Z Keep yourself and equipment at least 10 feet away from power lines in all directions, at all times. Use a spotter when moving tall equipment.
Z Use care when raising augers or the bed of a grain truck. It can be difficult to estimate distance, and sometimes, a power line is closer than it looks. Use a spotter to make certain you stay far away from power lines. Z Always lower equipment extensions, portable augers, or elevators to their lowest possible level, under 14 feet, before moving or transporting them. Wind, uneven ground, shifting weight, or other conditions can cause you to lose control of equipment and make contact with power lines. Z Be aware of increased height when loading and transporting larger modern tractors with higher antennas. Z Never attempt to raise or move a power line to clear a path.
“The first step toward change is awareness. The second step is acceptance.” – Nathaniel Branden
MAKE PLANS TO ATTEND AN AWARE MEETING OF YOUR CHOICE Aware meetings are open forum meetings where we make members aware of changes impacting the industry and your cooperative, and take time to answer your questions.
SEPTEMBER 25 IN STILLWATER Wes Watkins Center | 207 Wes Watkins Center | Stillwater OK 74078 Meeting begins at 6 pm | Dinner will be served
OCTOBER 10 IN GUTHRIE Guthrie HS Cafeteria | 200 N. Crooks Dr. | Guthrie OK 73044 Meeting begins at 6 pm | Dinner will be served
Please RSVP online one week prior to the meeting you choose, by visiting 4 http://www.MyCentral.coop