Jerad Lawson has been chosen to represent Illinois, the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives (AIEC) and his cooperative, EnerStar Electric, Paris, on the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) Youth Leadership Council (YLC).
Due to these unprecedented times and to ensure safety, the 2020 NRECA Youth to Washington tour was canceled. Selection of the YLC is typically done by the students while on the trip. In its place, students from the 2019 delegation were given the opportunity to apply for the position. Entrants were encouraged to let their personalities shine through as they provided a video with information about themselves, memorable moments from the 2019 tour and why they were applying. Five staff members of the AIEC watched the videos and rated their top three.
Lawson, a 2020 graduate of Lawson Christian Academy, will begin his college career at Ivy Tech Community College, Crawfordsville, Ind. this fall.
A basketball player, basketball referee and competitive cheerleader, Lawson appreciates the life and leadership skills he has been able to learn and practice with his coaches and teammates. As a home healthcare provider for his grandfather, a ninja and tumbling instructor, and a brother to five sisters, he exemplifies servant leadership even in challenging situations.
He says he is especially thankful for having been chosen to represent EnerStar Electric during the 2019 Youth to Washington tour and now represent the AIEC on the 2020 Youth Leadership Council. Lawson will be given the opportunity to attend the YLC Leadership Conference in November, the NRECA 2021 Annual Meeting in San Diego and the 2021 Youth Day at the Capitol in Springfield next spring.
