What is C.Y.C.L.E.?

The award-winning Cooperative Youth Conference and Leadership Experience, a.k.a., the C.Y.C.L.E. program, is a three-day conference coordinated by the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives, Vice President of Member Services Chris Massman. C.Y.C.L.E. is held annually during the month of July in Jefferson City, MO. Missouri Cooperatives some of the brightest young leaders to the conference which brings in approximately 100 high school students from across the state. Each year, Consolidated Electric Cooperative sponsors two local students that participate in the Youth Tour and C.Y.C.L.E. essay contest.

The focus of the conference is to expand student's knowledge about electric cooperatives, teach leadership skills and provide the opportunity to personally experience Missouri state government. The program includes nationally known speakers, field trips and a day at the state Capitol. Time at the conference isn't all about learning. Fun and social events like a barbeque, a hypnosis game and team building activities lend perfect opportunities for networking and building new friendships throughout the three day conference. 

Who is eligible for C.Y.C.L.E.?

The C.Y.C.L.E. essay contest is a component of the Youth Tour essay contest. It is open to all high school juniors living in or attending school in Consolidated Electric Cooperative's service area. Students attending high school or being home-schooled in the Centralia, Community R-6, Madison, Mexico, Middlegrove, Montgomery County, North Callaway, Paris, Wellsville-Middletown or Van-Far school districts are eligibile to participate. Entrants are not required to be a Cooperative member. The immediate family members of employees or directors of Consolidated Electric Cooperative are not eligible to participate.

When is the next C.Y.C.L.E.?

July 2025 - specific dates have not yet been released.

Please check your calendar to verify you will be available to participate if your essay is graded as one of the top 4.

How do I enter the contest?

Any high school junior, living in the CEC service territory, is eligible to compete in the contest. The challenge for each student lies in developing a creative approach, that will gain the judges attention, while writing a 500-word essay on a topic that has been chosen for the current contest. Get started by downloading an application that has this year's essay topic. Be sure to include a copy of this application along with your essay before the March 1, 2024 deadline.

The students receiving the third and fourth highest scores from the essay contest will be given the opportunity to attend the all-expense paid C.Y.C.L.E. conference.