The Kankakee Valley REMC Junior Board of Directors program offers students unique opportunities to engage with community leaders. The program is facilitated by Kankakee Valley REMC and Indiana Electric Cooperatives legislative team. The Junior Board recently visited the Indiana Statehouse, immersing themselves in the daily lives of legislators working for their constituents.
Despite the bustling atmosphere, legislators took time to greet and thank the students for their visit. Representative Soliday, Boy, Culp, and Senator Charbonneau were among those the students had the pleasure of meeting. They engaged in insightful conversations about their role and offered valuable career advice. These exchanges provided a glimpse into the legislators’ responsibilities and driving force in their work.
Following these interactions, the students were treated to a tour of the Statehouse. They learned about the history of the construction of the Statehouse and explored the chambers of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Senate, and House of Representatives. The students even saw one of the vaults that used to hold the states silver and gold reserves. This firsthand experience offered students a deeper understanding of the workings of the government.
“We are fortunate to have legislators that share the same belief of investing in our youth to prepare them to be the future leaders of our communities. We appreciate the legislators welcoming the students at the Statehouse and taking the time to share with them how government works. We hope opportunities like this will give students the exposure to someday consider getting involved in local government as a way to serve,” said Amanda Steeb, the director of communications and marketing for Kankakee Valley REMC.
The Junior Board of Directors program, sponsored by Kankakee Valley REMC, is open to high school juniors through a competitive application process. Those interested in participating in the program for the 2024–2025 school year can submit applications in June. This initiative aims to empower young individuals with insights into governance and leadership, paving the way for them to become future community leaders.
