Part of the Kankakee Valley REMC Junior Board of Directors program focuses on providing unique opportunities for students to interact with community leaders. The board received a special invitation from Representative Soliday that allowed them to visit the Indiana Statehouse.
With the assistance of the Indiana Electric Cooperatives government relations team and Representative Soliday’s legislative assistant, the students were able to observe the House Utilities Committee session, chaired by Rep. Soliday on Tuesday, March 21. During the committee session, students were able to hear sponsored bills, along with hearing from those supporting and opposing the bills. Following the committee session, Rep. Soliday met with the students to answer any questions they might have from observing the session.
The students were then treated to a Statehouse tour where they learned details on the construction of the Statehouse and where the first Statehouse was located. They then visited the Supreme Court & Court of Appeals and saw the Senate and House of Representatives in session.
Although the Statehouse was busy with the legislators working for their constituents and the communities they serve, many were available to stop and greet the students and thank them for visiting. The students enjoyed meeting Representative Pressel outside the House of Representatives session for a brief conversation about their day at the Statehouse.
“We are very fortunate to have legislators that share the same belief of investing in our youth to prepare them to be the future leaders of our communities. We appreciated the opportunity provided to us by Representative Soliday to visit the Statehouse and see how government works. We hope opportunities like this will give students the exposure to someday consider getting involved in local government as a way to serve,” stated Amanda Steeb, Director of Communications and Marketing for Kankakee Valley REMC
The Junior Board of Directors program is sponsored by Kankakee Valley REMC and is open to high school juniors. Students are selected through an application process. Students interested in serving on the Junior Board of Directors for the 2023-2024 school year can apply in June.
