Kankakee Valley REMC says it is currently accepting applications for its Junior Board of Directors Program. Ten high school juniors from local high schools will be selected for the program which takes place from October 2023 to May 2024 with the students meeting monthly for field trips and leadership experiences, the rural electric membership cooperative said. A news release also said successful program completion will earn each student a $1,000 scholarship from Kankakee Valley REMC (KV REMC). Applications are due by September 1, 2023.
“The youth of our communities are the next generation of leaders. The Junior Board of Directors program allows youth to network with like-minded peers, business professionals, and their cooperatives. We hope this dynamic group can provide insight into their generation’s expectations for cooperatives like KV REMC,” said Amanda Steeb, director of marketing and communications for KV REMC.
KV REMC said through this program, students will participate in activities that will help them strengthen their leadership skills and career development, and they’ll interact with community leaders as they learn about unique opportunities within their home community. Also, as a team the students will complete a capstone project, including a community service project with a non-profit organization of their choice.
“There is a growing competition for talent in our community. We see many of our rural areas struggling to grow due to the number of youth not returning to their home communities post-college. We hope this program can highlight the unique opportunities close to home,” stated Steeb.
This opportunity is open to all high school juniors, KV REMC said. To be considered, students must complete an application available at https://www.kvremc.com/community/youth-programs/ . Kankakee Valley REMC is a membership cooperative delivering power to more than 18,000 residential and commercial members in the rural areas of LaPorte, Porter, Lake, Starke, Marshall, Pulaski, and St. Joseph counties. In addition to the Junior Board of Directors program, KV REMC offers Youth Tour to Washington, D.C., Camp Kilowatt, Page Day at the State Capitol, and scholarships through Operation Round Up Trust. For more information, visit kvremc.com .