Lower Valley Energy sponsored five youth from the Star Valley community in attending the Idaho Consumer-Owned Utilities Association Youth Rally July 7-11 at Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa, Idaho, where they gleaned leadership education, utility industry exposure and scholarship funding.
Locals Abi England, Aurora Clark, Chloe Rieb, Maya Mavy and Paisley Anderson participated in the rally with 90 youth from New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and Wyoming. The week’s agenda offered forums, classes, games, team building, educational and recreational activities, and a talent show. Highlights included motivational instruction from world-champion wrestler, Ben Kjar and a tour of the Idaho State Capitol in Boise where they met with and learned from Idaho State legislators.
Jeff Strgar who serves at Lower Valley Energy as a Customer Service Representative and as the ICUA Youth Rally Chaperone told SVI Media that “Transportation, food, lodging, and all other expenses are paid entirely by the youth’s sponsoring electrical cooperative, so it’s completely free for youth to apply and attend. Lower Valley Energy pays ALL expenses for their delegates.”
Any high school student in their junior or sophomore year who lives in Lower Valley Energy’s service territory can apply to attend by going to www.lvenergy.com/my-
“The youth rally is an amazing opportunity for youth to come out of their shells, to open up and make new friends and connections that they could not make any other way,” said Strgar. “It’s also a super fun way to learn about the electric industry and electric cooperatives, why co-ops exist, why it’s so cool to be a part of one, and why they might just be an awesome career opportunity for many of our youth.”
As a scholarship opportunity, the rally offers significant educational funding to delegates. Thirty-one scholarships totaling $15,800 were awarded to youth in attendance this year. England was awarded $100 for the Outstanding Achievement Award and also won “the majority vote from the 90 youth in attendance to return next year as a director to help lead the 2026 ICUA Youth Rally.” Additionally, Mavy received a $400.00 scholarship.
Annually, the rally sends several youth to Washington D.C. for an educational tour sponsored by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. As a week-long tour of the Washington D.C. area, delegates visit sites such as Arlington National Cemetery, the Holocaust Memorial Museum, the Smithsonian museums, Mount Vernon, Fort McHenry and others. Each delegation returns to the rally the following year to report on their experience.
This year, delegates also attended a suicide prevention presentation by the Jae Foundation and a presentation titled “Put It Down” from the Sauer Family which discourages texting and driving by sharing the tragic story of their daughter who was killed in an accident that resulted from texting and driving. The Idaho Crimes Against Children Task Force offered instruction about online safety with their electronics-detecting dog, and linemen showed the youth just how powerful and dangerous electricity can be through an electrical safety demonstration.
Each year, youth vote to elect the next year’s directors and to establish the rally’s Mr. and Miss Congeniality. Directors serve as the youth leaders of the rally, preparing the itinerary and scheduling all activities. “The chaperones provide guidance and help throughout the rally, but the directors truly are youth leaders,” said Strgar. “There is a constant effort to keep improving the youth rally, and the input from the youth is an important part of that process.”
At the end of the week, new directors, Mr. and Miss Congeniality, Washington DC delegates and scholarship recipients are announced at a formal banquet.
“I think the biggest thing that the youth take away is learning how to be your best self, a huge part of which is to help others to be their best selves,” said Strgar. “To truly love and respect those around you, and make sure they are taken care of—to serve them—that’s what being a leader is all about. I hope every youth will come back with treasured life-long memories, and the resolve to be a little better, and less afraid to be themselves than when they first arrived.”
