On Oct. 25, there was a great deal of energy at Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives’ (OAEC) Second Annual Co-opreneur Day. Students from Alva Middle School and Cherokee Junior High School did an excellent job of representing Alfalfa Electric Cooperative at the event.
OAEC in partnership with Oklahoma Council on Economic Education organized and presented Co-opreneur Day. This seventh-and eighth-grade student competition is designed to develop and explore business development, economic, leadership and entrepreneurship skills.
This year’s students designed a cooperative business to solve a community need, developed a business plan and presented their ideas to a panel of judges. Many students face challenges in their academic studies and need tutoring support. Teams were asked to cooperatively address the growing need for affordable and accessible tutoring services.
Over 115 junior high students participated in this year’s event. Two of AEC’s teams walked away victorious. The Alva eighth-grade team, represented by ISSAC ANTON, MERRITT MANTZ and KASE MARTIN won first place. The Cherokee eighth-grade team, which included KAYLI PRUETT, EMILY TUCKER, DAWSON SCHANBACHER and GARRETT KETTERMAN placed third. The seventh- and eighth-grade Alva team competed well and included ZACH NICHOLS, LIBBY KELLER, EMMA KELLER and CLAYSE SCHAFER.
Local teachers Sue Whipple, Alva, and Gayla Failes, Cherokee, also received professional development focusing on STEM, economics, energy and entrepreneurship. Teachers also learned about the many youth opportunities that Oklahoma co-ops offer.
The support of local teachers and schools help make AEC’s youth programs successful. AEC plans to continue to work with schools to enhance opportunities for students.
