“Now up to bat, Joanie McCormack!” I step up to the plate and meet the pitcher’s gaze before finding his glove, which is loaded with the baseball. I sense eyes on my ponytail and feminine frame, but I’m accustomed to it by now: I’ve been playing baseball since I was 5 years old. People have always wondered why I play. Honestly, sometimes I do, too.
You’re in English class, trying to concentrate on your work, but you just can’t. All your classmates are chitchatting, laughing and apparently having the most heated debates of their lives, all while you’re trying to stay on task. If only there was a way you could tune them all out! The reality is there is a solution, though a lot of teachers will disagree with it: listening to music.
This year, it was me. Next year, it could be you! Going on the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour was the most amazing experience! This trip gave me opportunities upon opportunities.
Last summer, all of North Dakota’s Youth Tour delegates were flown to our nation’s capital, Washington, D.C., for a week to learn all about the locations and the people who impacted our nation’s rich history. Our amazing chaperones took us all over the place. We went to the Smithsonian museums, the Capitol, Arlington National Cemetery, Mount Vernon, the National Mall and more.
How many clothes do you think you own? How much did they cost? Well, I counted my wardrobe and I have 316 items of clothing, which may seem like a lot. You’re probably thinking I spent a lot on those clothes, too. When you walk into nearly any clothing store, you see jeans for $60, basic T-shirts for $30 and dresses for $55. However, I didn’t spend nearly that much on my wardrobe. Of my 316 pieces, 203 were thrifted for about $3 a piece. For this reason and many more, I realized thrifting is the best way to shop.
The fear of public speaking is otherwise known as glossophobia, which affects 75% of the population. As a teenager, you can either take the opportunities to step out of your comfort zone or you can continue to fear what lies outside that comfort zone. Competitive speech helps draw kids out of their comfort zone, and the benefits can be life-changing.
Deciding on a career path can be a daunting task for any high school student. High school juniors and seniors are constantly asked about their plans for the future. Being unable to answer this question can create fear and anxiety. These decisions can be made easier by taking two major steps before your senior year to curb the pressure.
Immeasurable growth occurs in the years between a high school student’s first day of freshman year and last day of senior year. With numerous new academic and social experiences, and the newfound freedom that comes with age, high school students undergo what often seems like a complete transformation. Among the opportunities offered in high school, joining band class is one of the most valuable and character-strengthening experiences available.
Have you ever been to Washington, D.C.? Would you like to learn more about electric cooperatives? The North Dakota Electric Cooperative Youth Tour is a week-long, all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., in June 2024.
Students from across the country gather in our nation’s capital to learn about cooperatives, meet with our state’s elected officials and visit historical sites. Each student represents his or her local electric cooperative, with 44 states represented.
To my teachers, past and present:
“Thank you” doesn’t do you justice. You have given more than I can summarize with words or ever express in any form of gratitude. Nonetheless, I will try.
During my 13 years in the public school system, each of you has made a difference in my life. From the kindergarten teacher who taught me to tie my shoes to the physics teacher who challenged the limits of my critical thinking, each of you made an impact, which cannot be measured by concepts learned, awards bestowed or test scores.
