Youth Tour Winners Speak Out
CEC Youth Tour Contest reveals teens have a lot on their minds.
to its local Youth Tour contestants, the response was surprising.
W
From education reform to guns in schools and corrupt athletic programs, teens in southeast Oklahoma had plenty to say. Furthermore, their comments—presented in letter form to a public official of the student’s
hat’s on the minds of teenagers today? Choctaw Electric Cooperative posed this question
choosing—expressed clear opinions about certain“hot button” issues of our time.
The letters were reviewed by judges selected by Choctaw Electric Cooperative. Finalist were selected from these entries and interviewed by judges to determined the four winners.
The teens will represent CEC on the National Rural Electric Youth Tour, which takes place in Washington DC June 14-20, 2013. The winners are:
“Corrupted athletic programs in schools are often prioritized over education. Some ways athletic programs are unjust is by changing star athlete’s grades, exempting athletes from punishment, coaches allowed to use foul language and not held accountable, and this is all idolized and accepted by students, parents and administration. “
—Will Sossamon.
(Letter addressed to Janet Barresi, Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction)
Will Sossamon Son of
Russell and Laura Sossamon
“
...my concern is that school shootings have become a major issue in this changing world of ours. We, as Americans, are not doing the best we can do to prevent these horrifying events from happening. The sick people behind these acts need help, and homes for mentally ill would be a place to start...”
—Cara Blansett (Letter addressed to Governor Mary Fallin.)
Cara Blansett Daughter of
Brendan Blansett and Julie Low
“
...The answer to preventing school shootings is making our schools safer. First, we need to make anyone going on campus be checked for firearms, explosives or even drugs, for that matter. School grounds need to be fenced off and have limited entrances. Also, all classrooms need emergency exits....”
—Mark Baze (Letter addressed to President Barack Obama.) Mark Baze Son of Russell and Donna Baze 8 | june 2013
Logan Smith, Broken Bow High School; William Sossamon, Fort Towson High School; Cara Blansett, Antlers High School; and Mark Baze, Rattan High School.
CEC congratulates these teens on their accomplishment. Have a wonderful trip!
For more information on Youth Tour, please contact Tonia Allred, CEC Youth Tour coordinator, 800-780-6486, or visit
www.choctawelectric.coop. ■
“
...Common Core standards will eliminate large portions of the information currently taught in order to delve further into required areas. In many subjects, most notably mathematics, these force teachers to skip over many crucial sections, then re-address them when the need arises, slowing these “in-depth” lessons. These new standards also require major upgrades in technology in order to take standardized tests, most of which is unavailable to the poorly funded schools in your district.
—Logan Smith (Letter addressed to Rep. Curtis McDaniel.) Logan Smith Son of Jay and Cheryl Smith
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