Beeta Riahi, Burnsville High School, recently returned from attending the Youth Leadership Council (YLC) in Washington D.C. Riahi was selected for YLC from among 35 high school students throughout Minnesota who all attended the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s (NRECA) Youth Tour conference in June.
Being part of YLC presented an opportunity for Riahi to travel back to Washington D.C. and participate in leadership training, team building exercises and meetings with Capitol Hill staff members who are alumni of NRECA’s Youth Tour. The YLC members gained a broader understanding of cooperatives through their discussions with Glenn English, CEO of NRECA, and Sheldon Peterson, Governor of the National Rural Cooperative Finance Corporation, among others. Riahi and YLC delegates from other states will also attend the NRECA annual meeting in Orlando next March.
“It is an honor to represent Minnesota, and I am very thankful for this opportunity,” said Riahi, who was happy to be chosen as a YLC delegate because she has political aspirations. “In order to join the political field, experience is essential,” she said. “I knew being in YLC would open doors and give me new experiences in the influential world of politics.”
Each year, Dakota Electric sends five local students to Washington D.C. to attend the Youth Tour conference, where Riahi was selected to attend YLC.
“Being chosen for the Youth Leadership Council is a real honor,” said Peggy Johnson. “It presents a great opportunity for learning and developing leadership skills, and Dakota Electric is happy that we were able to help provide this opportunity for her.”
