youth power and hope awards
Indiana's electric cooperatives and their statewide magazine, Indiana Connection, are accepting applications for awards that recognize the community spirit of Indiana's youth.
The Youth Power and Hope Awards program honors Indiana students in fifth through eighth grades who are leaders in their communities and have a passion for service.
Up to five qualified candidates will be selected to receive $500 and be featured in Indiana Connection, among other highlights.
"One of the founding principles of RushShelby Energy is a commitment to community," said Chris Chastain, President and CEO. "We are proud to be a part of recognizing the community service efforts of our youth."
Past award recipients include students who have initiated a coat drive for the underprivileged, supported patients at Riley Hospital for Children, worked with special needs children, volunteered at a local animal shelter, raised money for the American Cancer Society, and more.
The applicant's parent(s)/guardian(s) must be a member of an Indiana electric cooperative, and the applicant must submit an online application at indiana.connection.org/youth powerandhope. When doing so, the applicant will be asked to provide examples of and information about their community service activities, share any relevant photos, and list references who may be contacted for additional information. The deadline to enter is Friday, October 3, 2025.
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Contributors:
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Publication Office:
2777 S. 840 W. Manilla, IN 46150
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POSTMASTER:
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Cressa Kohrman, a student at North Decatur, was awarded one of the Youth and Power Awards from IEC for her outstanding community impact last year.
Cressa co-founded the World Helping Squad (WHS), to help those in need. Her efforts have included donating toys, clothes and food to local organizations like the Riley Toy Closet, fire and police departments and shelters.
Cressa hopes to inspire others to spread kindness and that small actions can create a ripple effect of positive change.
Programs for Juniors and 6th Grade students
School is officially back in session, and the excitement is in the air! Students are eager to reconnect with friends after summer break, show off their new clothes and settle into their new classrooms. Teachers are ready to guide another year of learning, and parents are adjusting to the familiar rhythm of early mornings and busy afternoons.
But my guess is right about...now, some students are already doing the math on how many Mondays stand between them and summer break. So, it's never to early too remind our members about the youth opportunities we offer for summer programs that provide learning, leadership and fun experiences your child won't want to miss.
CAMP KILOWATT
RushShelby Energy will sponsor 10 students to attend the annual Camp Kilowatt, held June 3-6, 2026, at Camp Tecumseh in Brookston, Indiana.
Current sixth-grade students are eligible to apply and will be selected by RushShelby Energy to take part in the four-day program. Camp Kilowatt combines traditional outdoor activities with hands-on electrical safety lessons and cooperative business education - making it both fun and educational.
Applications open November 1, 2025, (CampKilowatt.org) and must be submitted by February 13, 2026. Students do not need to be RushShelby Energy members to apply.
INDIANA YOUTH TOUR
Do you have a student interested in government and community engagement? Encourage them to apply for this trip of a lifetime to Washington, D.C. !
The Indiana Youth Tour to Washington, D.C. is a unique chance for students to experience firsthand how government operates, explore iconic historical landmarks and connect with peers from across the country. It's an immersive, educational experience that brings classroom lessons to life in real-world settings.
Youth Tour provides students with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to:
• Explore how government works and dive into the electric utility industry.
• Experience history firsthand with visits to Washington, D.C. and Gettysburg.
• Connect with peers from across the U.S. and build lasting friendships.
The trip will take place June 14-21, 2026, and is open to Indiana high school juniors. Home-schooled students are also eligible.
Online applications open November 1, 2025, at IndianaYouthTour.org and are due February 13, 2026. Students must be members of RushShelby Energy.
Other opportunities cooperative student art contest
Indiana's electric cooperatives, along with Indiana Connections magazine, are encouraging K-12 students statewide to participate in the Cooperative Calendar of Student Art Contest, a platform for young artists to showcase their creativity and win exciting prizes.
First-place winners from each grade level (K-12) will receive $200, with their artwork featured on the cover or as one of the 12 months in the 2027 wall calendar. Honorable mention artists will be awarded $75, and their work will also appear in the calendar.
Entries will be judged based on artistic merit, originality, creativity and how the artwork suits a wall calendar format. The contest is open to all grades K-12 including home-schooled students. Importantly, you do not need to live on RushShelby Energy lines to participate, making this contest accessible to students throughout the state.
A complete set of rules and required entry forms are available at indianaconnection.org/for-youth/art-contest. Artwork must be received by February 27, 2026.
Page Day gives students an opportunity to learn about their state government and how bills become law. Highlights include a Statehouse tour, mock bill activity, speakers and other educational activities. Students will meet legislators and may have the opportunity to see the Indiana Legislature in action. The program is open to all high school students.
Online applications will be available beginning November 1, 2025 at IECPageDay.org and the deadline to apply is January 9, 2026.
Fly Drones with Caution to Avoid Electrical Issues
Whether you operate drones for personal or professional purposes, Indiana Electric Cooperatives reminds you to consider electrical safety to avoid putting yourself and others at risk.
"Open areas are excellent places for people to fly drones, but they should keep them away from overhead power lines," said Jon Elkins, vice president for safety, training and compliance for Indiana Electric Cooperatives. "While drones might seem safer than something like a kite, where there is a string a person may be holding when it comes into contact with power lines, they still present serious safety concerns."
Remember these tips when flying a drone for recreational or commercial purposes:
• Don't fly drones anywhere near power lines or electrical substations.
• If a drone flies into a power line, it could cause power outages or lead to downed lines, which poses an electrical safety hazard. There may also be falling debris that could injure people.
• Should your drone get caught in power lines or crash into a utility pole or substation, never attempt to retrieve it yourself. Trying to free the drone by entering a substation is not only criminal trespassing, but you can also be electrocuted. Call the electric cooperative or other utility for assistance.
• Don't touch a downed line or anything it has fallen on, such as a fence or a tree limb.
• Keep a safe distance from downed lines and tell others to do the same.
• Call 911 to notify emergency personnel and the utility immediately if you see downed power lines.
• Follow federal or state guidelines for registering your drone or getting business approval.
Quick Links
Labrie Celebrates 10 Years of Service!
We're proud to celebrate Janet Labrie, Corporate Service Manager, as she marks 10 years of dedicated service. Janet's commitment, professionalism and positive spirit have made a lasting impact. Congratulations, Janet!
We're excited to share that renovations have begun at our office. This project is focused on creating individual offices for each employee, allowing us to serve our members more efficiently in the future. In addition, we're upgrading the lobby and front counter area to provide a safer, more streamlined experience for both members and staff.
During this time, the drive-thru window will be closed. Members can still drop off payments using the drop box. The front lobby will also be closed throughout the remodel, but members are welcome to enter through the community room door to make payments or conduct other business. Please follow the signage that we have in place.
Construction will last until the first part of January. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to enhance our space to better serve you.
On the Cover
Gracing the cover of this month's Electrawatt is Jerilyn Dismore's honorable mention entry. She captured the shot on the Shelby County/Hancock County line as a train, heading towards Morristown, slowed at an intersection giving Jerilyn the perfect shot - the bird was an unexpected bonus. Look for the announcement of the 2026 Planner Contest winners in next month's issue.
Energy Efficiency Tip
Take advantage of "shoulder months," which refer to the transitional periods between peak heating and cooling seasons. During the fall, these milder weeks typically occur between September and November. Shoulder months offer a great opportunity to reduce home energy consumption as the need for extensive heating or cooling is reduced. Look for simple ways to boost indoor comfort without running your heating and cooling system. Use ceiling fans and open windows on breezy days to ventilate your home. On cooler days, add a layer of clothing and avoid running the heat.
MINI-MEMBER PUZZLE
The Value of Electricity
Did you know the average daily cost of electricity is about $5? When you think about all the ways we use electricity every day, that's a great value!
A day's worth of electricity powers: home heating/cooling, electronics, lighting, major appliances and more.
Look at the everyday items below, then add a (+) sign next to the items you think cost more than daily electricity. For items you think cost less than daily electricity, add a (-) sign.
