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Do you know a young adult who wants to get more engaged in government and their community? MAKE SURE THEY KNOW ABOUT THIS TRIP OF A LIFETIME. Orange County REMC will sponsor up to two students on the annual Indiana Youth tour to Washington D.C. The 2025 Indiana Youth Tour is June 15-23. Students entering their senior year in 2025 are eligible to attend and are selected by their local cooperative to participate in the weeklong trip. Indiana will send a delegation of students from throughout the state to convene with students from up to 46 other states. Application Deadline March 3, 2025 Purpose The Indiana Youth Tour to Washington, D.C., provides young adults with the opportunity to travel to our nation's capital to: Experience firsthand how our government functions Learn about the complexities of today's electric utility industry Discover the unique characteristics of cooperative business enterprise Meet peers from around the country Completing the application To complete this application, you will need the following: Your current class rank and GPA* Your ACT and/or PSAT/SAT scores (optional) A current photo of yourself to upload A parent or guardian to digitally sign your application Travel Dates & Cost The Youth Tour delegation will depart from Indianapolis June 15, 2025 and will return June 22, 2025. All travel expenses to and from Indianapolis to Washington, D.C., meals, lodging and scheduled event fees will be paid for by the sponsors of the Youth Tour. Travel to and from Indianapolis and a student’s home and incidental expenses incurred by the student will not be covered. NOTE: Failure to provide Indiana Electric Cooperatives with a minimum of 45 days  cancellation notice could result in a participant’s parents or guardians being billed for all or a portion of the trip’s expenses. Eligibility To be eligible for the Indiana Youth Tour to Washington D.C., the following provisions will govern the acceptance of applicants from the local cooperatives: Applicants must have completed their junior year in high school, and be enrolled for their senior year. Home-schooled students are eligible to apply. Parent/guardian must be an electric member of Orange County REMC or a child of a REMC employee. Indiana Youth Tour to Washington, D.C., requires a great deal of physical fitness and stamina and may not be designed for individuals who need significant assistance for personal care, require constant one-on-one support, or have great difficulty managing their behavior in group settings. If an applicant has a special health care need, contact Youth Tour Director, Rachel McFadden at rmcfadden@indianaec.org before submitting an application. Health conditions requiring advance clearance include, but are not limited to: insulin-dependent diabetes, cardiac situations, asthma, seizure disorders, mental illness, autism spectrum and food allergies. We cannot accommodate serious food allergies. Selection Students will be selected by their local cooperative at the March 2025 board of directors meeting. Ensure you have completed all steps required to be considered for the trip. For more information about Indiana Youth Tour to Washington, D.C., visit our website at www.myremc.coop/youth-programs  or contact Montana Roberts at robertsm@myremc.coop

Do you know a sixth-grade student who wants to learn more about electricity and attend a fun, educational summer camp? Make sure they know about this program! Application Deadline March 3, 2025 Indiana’s 38 electric cooperatives are accepting applications from sixth-grade students (entering seventh grade in the fall of 2025) for Camp Kilowatt. Each year, students who attend camp have the opportunity to gain knowledge about the electrical cooperative industry and electricity, participate in fun summer activities and make new friends. Camp Kilowatt is a three-night, four-day overnight camp hosted at Camp Tecumseh in Brookston, Indiana, and will take place June 4-7, 2025. Students will meet at Camp Tecumseh the afternoon of June 4 and immediately jump into fun activities and start making new friends. Each year, the camp committee works to develop a well-rounded schedule to strike a balance between education and fun. Activities include a live line safety demonstration, bucket truck rides, electrical pole climbing tutorial, and various activities involving circuit boards, renewables and even Internet safety. Students will be selected for the trip based on applications submitted to their electric cooperative. All applicants must be sponsored by a rural electric cooperative, have completed sixth grade and are enrolled in seventh grade, and have adequate transportation to and from Camp Tecumseh in Brookston, Indiana. Home-schooled students are also eligible to apply. To be eligible a student must: Complete sixth grade and enrolled in seventh grade. Parent/guardian must be a REMC electric member or a child of a REMC employee. During the March 2025 board meeting, they will review the applications and pick up to two students to go to camp. Camp Kilowatt also includes tons of FUN camp outdoor activities. Program highlights include swimming, canoeing, other lake activities, zip lining, archery, horseback riding, a climbing wall, field games and, of course – a campfire and hotdogs. For more information please visit www.myremc.coop/youth-programs  or contact robertrsm@myremc.coop  at Orange County REMC.

Orange County REMC continuously looks for ways to support our community. That is why each year we assist our young members in their pursuit of higher education by awarding scholarships to our graduating seniors. Up to six $750.00 scholarships will be awarded to students graduating from Paoli, Springs Valley, Orleans, Mitchell, Crawford County, or West Washington. Application Deadline February 14, 2025 How to Apply Click on the document below to download the application. Or visit www.myremc.coop/youth-programs . FAQs Who determines the winners? The Orange County REMC General Manager and the coordinator for Operation Roundup Trustees will verify applicant eligibility. Essays will be presented with the identity of the applicant withheld, to three members of the Operation Round Up board of trustees for final judging. What do I need to make sure to check before starting the application? Applicant's parent/guardian is Orange County REMC Member. Applicant's parent/guardian participates in the Operation Round Up program. Applicants must be attending an Indiana Accredited College or Trade School. If you have an acceptance letter, please provide a copy. Applicants must graduate by the end of June 2024. The scholarship recipient must not have previously attended college of hold incoming freshman status. What do I need to make sure to include before turning in the application? Complete application Complete essay Up to three letters of recommendation Professional head-shot photo for publication Scholastic record complete How will the applications be evaluated? 50% Essay:  The essay will be judged on originality and content. Is it informative and thought provoking? Are assertions and comments supported with facts or practical ideas? Is it written from a young person’s point of view? Remember, the essay should be the work of the student applying for the scholarship. Editing, grammar, sentence structure etc., are considered. 25% Community/School Involvement:  Student activities in school, at home, community, work, etc., will enhance a student’s application. Be sure to mention any special recognitions, offices you now or have held in the past, or awards you have received. 25% Academics/Letter of Recommendation:  Each applicant must verify their academic standing for the current school year, and at least the previous year as well. Have your guidance department fill in the appropriate line on the application, or include a letter from a guidance counselor simply verifying your overall grade point average for the current and past year. A transcript is not necessary, but may be included if it is easier than a letter. Class ranking, if possible, is also helpful. You may submit up to three letters of recommendation from non-family members (teacher, employer, community leader, guidance counselor, pastor etc.) An exception is permitted for home schooled applicants who wish to have a letter presented from a parent instructor. What are the essay topics? Applicants may chose ONE of the following topics for you essay. What is Rural Electrification? When did it begin? What is an electric cooperative? How does it different from other electric companies? Where do the profits go? What is the mission of Orange County REMC? How is Orange County REMC fulfilling that mission? What is Operation Roundup? How does it work? Where does money come from… where does it go? What is your opinion about electric cooperatives? What is your opinion about Operation Roundup and would you recommend someone participate in Operation Roundup? Why would somebody want to participate? Who should be applying for Operation Roundup funds? What benefits are there to Orange County REMC members who contribute to Operation Roundup? What do grant recipients have to say about Operation Roundup? Where do I submit the application? Applications may be hand delivered to the Operation Roundup Coordinator, Hannah Carter, during business hours or mailed to: Orange County REMC, Attention Hannah Carter, PO Box 208 Orleans, IN 47452. Please do not staple paperwork or use binders. Please contact Hannah Carter at hcarter@myremc.coop  or call 812-865-2229 with questions.

Don’t learn these lessons from experience: Teen drivers should know about electrical road hazards before getting behind the wheel   For an inexperienced teen driver, wrecking the family car is almost a rite of passage. The only way for young drivers to gain experience is to get behind the wheel and put miles behind them.   Some dangers, though, cannot be learned from personal “experience.” Take this example: an accident involving a utility pole. How the driver and passengers handle themselves in those moments after the car comes to a stop may mean the difference between life and death.   “Stay in the car, stay in the car, stay in the car!” is the mantra Orange County Fiber wants young drivers to remember.    “When a power line is involved, even a minor accident can become tragic,” said Matt Deaton, General Manager/CEO. “Staying put for all involved and warning others to stay away, too, cannot be stressed enough. You should only get out after a qualified first responder arrives on the scene and says it’s OK.”   Staying put may go against a driver’s first inclination; you want to get out and check the car and see if everyone around is OK. Teenagers, especially, might worry that “Dad is going to kill me!” But stepping out of the car immediately after striking a utility pole may kill you — for real. Here’s why:   Power lines fall.  When a pole is struck, power lines and hardware can break loose from their insulated perches on the pole. Fallen power lines can still be energized . Even touching the ground, they can still carry 7,200 volts or more, although they may not spark or buzz. Power lines are not insulated . Unlike the power cords on appliances we use, overhead power lines are bare strands of metal wire. This means grabbing one, grazing up against one, or touching something that’s touching it can kill you. Fallen power lines are hard to see . They may seem easy to see up on poles, silhouetted against the sky, or glistening in sunlight. But when knocked down and twisted with tall grass or trees as a background, especially at night, they are almost impossible to see. Electricity seeks the quickest path to ground . You become that path if you get out of the car and touch a live power line and the ground. If you are alive, you are safe . Immediately after a collision with a utility pole, you may not know if power lines have broken loose and are on your car. If you are alive, you are not creating that deadly “path to ground.” But fallen power lines might be touching and energizing your vehicle or the ground near you. If so, and you step out onto the ground, the electricity flowing around your car will go through you to the ground. Call 9-1-1 . After hitting a pole, call 9-1-1. Tell them you hit a pole. And wait patiently. Tell others to stay back. Wait till you know it’s safe before exiting.

Electric co-ops do more than ‘knock on wood’ to test pole safety An estimated 150 million wood poles form the backbone of the nation’s electric grid, supporting the delivery of electricity and telecommunications across America, says Osmose, a nationwide utilities services company. Wood remains the preferred material for poles because of its durability, strength, low cost, and availability. But like most things, wood can weather and weaken. That’s why, like most utilities, Indiana’s electric cooperatives periodically access and assess each wooden pole bringing power to consumers. “Pole testing is really a piece of a co-op’s hazard recognition program,” said Matt Deaton, General Manager/CEO. “We need to know if poles are bad, so we can replace them. You never want a pole to break and fall on someone or bring down live power lines. Along with safety, inspection helps maintain reliability.” While some signs of pole damage are obvious, and lineworkers are trained to always knock on a pole with a large hammer or mallet to test for its soundness before climbing, Deaton noted that utilities often have third-party contractors perform methodical inspections. If the contractors find something, they have the expertise to repair and maintain the pole to prolong its life or will recommend replacement. Consumers, especially where rights-of-way and poles may be remote, should be aware that, on occasion, they may see a crew digging around and knocking on poles. Crews working for a co-op will always have identification on their truck or on themselves and wear hard hats and vests or similar gear. If in doubt, the consumer should call the co-op office to confirm the work in their area. If a consumer sees a group of individuals not wearing logo gear or acting suspiciously around poles, the group actually might be copper or metal thieves stealing wire from the side of the pole. Co-ops warn consumers never to confront these individuals but to call the police. Deaton said the expected lifespan of a pole is about 20 years. “If you get 30 or 40 out of it, that's great.” He also noted that consumers can help by letting the co-op know if a pole serving their home or farm is showing signs of damage. “They might notice big woodpecker holes, or if there’s an animal condominium in the pole — that’s never good. Or if the pole is leaning when it didn’t used to — that's an indication it’s compromised at ground level or just below.” “A pole is there to keep electricity and the infrastructure away from the public,” added Deaton. “And when that pole is compromised, you run the risk of the public and electricity coming in contact with each other. That’s something we want to prevent at all costs.” Post no bills: Utility poles are not sign boards As innocent as it may seem, putting signs or other items on a utility pole creates serious safety hazards. Staples, nails, and tacks used to hang signs — as well as signs themselves — pose dangers to electric lineworkers who might have to climb that pole when either restoring power following storms or performing routine maintenance.   Nails and tacks left behind on poles can snag utility workers’ boots or puncture protective safety clothing and gloves, making lineworkers vulnerable to slipping or even electrocution. In addition to being hazardous, tampering with utility poles can be costly. Many places have laws against it with potential fines.

Electricity Provides Powerful Value As we all look for ways to save money in this age of increasing inflation, I think about a typical daily routine and how much value it provides, compared to the money it costs.  If you grab a latte on the way to work, that’s $6 every morning, a fast-food combo with a burger, fries and a drink for lunch will set you back $10 a day, and a typical streaming subscription is about $16 each month. All these daily expenses total around $85 a week, or about $340 monthly! And what is the real value—short-term satisfaction and a larger waistline? This got me thinking—what service holds a better the best value compared to its price? The average daily cost of electricity is about $4.57, and the average monthly electric bill for members of Orange County REMC is $145. Did you know, you could power your entire home each day for the price of a medium latte. You could brew your own coffee, cook your own meals, binge a series and run on a treadmill for less than the cost of that drink. Now to me, that’s real value.  Electricity provides benefits that we often take for granted. It goes well beyond short-term satisfaction by allowing us to charge devices and have cold food and hot water, all in a comfortable indoor climate. Besides the privilege it affords, electricity has also remained relatively cost-stable even amidst rising inflation. As a member-owned cooperative, Orange County REMC does everything in our power to ensure your costs stay reasonable and that electricity remains a great value for our members. It’s not always easy, as there are several factors beyond inflation that impact the price of electricity—some within our control but most beyond it. The cost of electricity can fluctuate due to supply and demand, infrastructure investment, maintenance and operational expenses. Weather patterns also contribute, affecting both demand and generation capabilities, with extreme conditions leading to heightened energy use or disruptions. Government policies, such as subsidies for renewable energy or taxes and regulations on emissions, shape electricity costs as well. Your electric co-op considers all these aspects when adjusting rates, and because we’re a cooperative, we consider the impact of those costs on our members as well. As our community continues to rely on electricity for nearly everything in our homes, schools, hospitals and businesses, we need it to be reliable and affordable. You can be assured, Orange County REMC always puts you top of mind and works each day to ensure electricity remains the best value for your money.  Matt Deaton General Manager/CEO

Members wishing to participate in Operation Round Up can have Orange County REMC automatically round their electric and/or fiber bills to the next highest monthly dollar. Each member contributes less than a dollar a month, which will average about $6 a year. Those extra few dollars from our members can greatly impact groups and organizations, making a big difference in our community. Seven local organizations received grants in the February 2024 Operation Round Up board of trustees meeting. Details of the funds awarded are listed below. Team OC Youth Mentoring  received a $500 grant for a child sponsorship. Orange County Cancer Patient Services, Inc.   received a $500 grant to purchase gas cards. Lawrence County Cancer Patient Services  received a $500 grant for cancer patient head coverings. Possibilities of Paoli  received a $500 grant for painting supplies. Springs Valley Band Boosters  received a grant of $550 to purchase food for band students. Let Music Speak   received a $500 grant for Paoli Fest expenses. Orange County Habitat for Humanity  received a $440 grant to fund Box sills. Safe Haven Recovery Engagement Center, LLC received a $500 grant to purchase floor replacement supplies. Orange County Rehabilitative & Development Services received an $830 grant to fund tables. Mitchell Grissom Kiwanis Club received a $1,000 grant for a batch ice cream machine. Orleans Community Schools (OES) received a $500 grant to replace classroom books. OHS After Prom received a $250 grant to fund after prom activities. Livonia Presbyterian Church received a $500 grant to purchase exterior steeple lighting. Northeast Township Community Center received a $535.98 grant to replace indoor lighting. Southern Indiana Community Health Care received a $500 grant for supplies for children's therapy. Orange County REMC awards up to six $750 scholarships each year to recognize outstanding local students' academic and community achievements. These scholarships are funded through the Operation Round Up program. Students who apply must graduate the current year and be accepted to attend an accredited college or trade school in Indiana. Listed below are the 2024 scholarship winners. Jill Salmon - Jill Salmon of Orleans Jr./Sr. High School is the daughter of David and Shannon Salmon. She plans to study Sports Marketing and Management at Indiana University. Carter Allen - Carter Allen of Orleans Jr./Sr. High School is the son of Nick and Amanda Blanton. He plans to study Business at Ivy Tech or Indiana University Southeast. Aiden Keller - Aiden Keller of Orleans Jr./Sr. High School is the son of Richard and Jennifer Keller. He plans to study Ag Business at Vincennes University, Jasper. Molly Tucker - Molly Tucker of Springs Valley High School is the daughter of Tracy Tucker. She plans to study Biology at Indiana University Southeast. Olivia McSpaden - Olivia McSpadden of Paoli High School is the daughter of Angie McSpadden. She plans to study Communications/ Sports Broadcasting at Ball State University. Madeline Woosley - Madeline Woosley of West Washington Jr./Sr. High School is the daughter of Terry and Reeda Woosley. She plans to study elementary education at University of Southern Indiana. If you are part of a school group, community organization, fire department, first responder group, 4-H club or other local non-profit and would like to apply for an Operation Round Up grant, go to www.myremc.coop and look under the “Community” menu to download an application and grant guidelines. The deadline to apply for the next cycle of grants is June 14, 2024. The board of trustees will meet on July 1, 2024 to review the applications. GRANT TOTALS: Awarded in November 2023: $12,605.98 Grand Total since 2003: $615,352.21

Making ends meet might be hard for many Hoosiers right now. If you find yourself falling behind paying monthly utility bills, contact your electric cooperative for help before you face losing service. Orange County REMC has programs that can help consumers keep the lights on. If your electricity has already been disconnected, never tamper with your meter or try to reconnect power yourself. These acts are extremely dangerous and illegal. “If you’re unable to pay your bill, please don’t resort to theft,” said Matt Deaton, CEO/General Manager. “Contact us, let us know your situation, and we will work with you as best we can. We have programs, such as prepaid metering that will keep your power on and help you pay down previous bills.” Co-ops see an uptick in the number of delinquent accounts and cases of meter tampering during economic downturns, especially after the winter moratorium on disconnections of delinquent accounts has passed. “Tampering is hazardous to the person doing it and to the public after it’s done,” said Deaton, “because all the safety precautions that the co-op put in place are now bypassed. The big hazard with trying to reconnect yourself is an arc flash since the components are close together and right in your face. If you’re standing in water or wet grass, there’s the possibility of electrocution. But what always worries me most is usually we find the tampered meter base left open — so kids could get into it, and any unsuspecting person could be exposed to that hazard.” Deaton also said tampering can cause the overload protections for the transformer on the utility pole to fail or other problems, as well as potentially causing power outages to neighbors and others along the line. Like shoplifting, electricity theft is not a victimless crime: all the utility’s consumers ultimately pay for the stolen power through higher rates. Consumers caught meter tampering or stealing electricity, as they usually are, can face hefty penalties. Depending on the amount of electricity involved in the theft and the circumstances, the co-op may take the case to the sheriff’s department and the county prosecutor. “Because electric co-ops are owned by their consumers, co-ops go the extra mile to help those consumers going through hard times. Disconnections and collection agencies are the last resorts we hope to avoid. And certainly, we never want to see consumers risking their lives or endangering others stealing electricity,” said Deaton. “But we can only help consumers who will let us help them and will work with us.”

Orange County REMC sponsored one student on the Indiana Youth Tour, which took place from June 16 to 23. The Youth Tour provides young Hoosiers with the opportunity to visit the nation’s capital, learn about government, experience American history, and gain a better understanding of their electric cooperative and government. The student representing Orange County REMC at the Indiana Youth Tour was Lee Schrock of Orleans. “Orange County REMC is pleased to provide this opportunity for our local youth,” Hope Matthew said. “It’s a great trip and a wonderful chance to see the sites, make new friends and learn how everyone, even young people, can make a difference in the political process.” Students participating in the trip visited the Flight 93 Memorial, Gettysburg Battlefield, Arlington National Cemetery, National Museum of the Marine Corps and Smithsonian museums. The delegation is also touring the National Mall memorials, meeting friends from across the country and much more. The Indiana Youth Tour students participated in a youth rally hosted by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and spent a day on Capitol Hill, where they had an opportunity to meet with Indiana’s congressional delegation to ask questions and share their thoughts on a variety of timely issues.

Unmasking Energy Scams Consumers with water, gas and electricity connections have long been targets for utility scams. But in today’s digital world, every swipe and click increases the risk of potential scams. Scammers are more sophisticated than ever before, and they understand our increasing reliance on technology. With their sharpened digital knives, scammers have adapted their tactics to trick unsuspecting consumers through a variety of methods. Orange County REMC wants to help you avoid energy scams, whether a financial loss or leak of your personal information. This month, I’d like to share updates on some of the latest utility scams, as well as tips to help you stay safe from even the craftiest scammers. Recent Utility Scams Scammers typically disguise themselves––either physically or digitally––as utility employees or representatives to steal consumers’ money or personal information. A common trick is to claim a consumer’s bill is past due and threaten to disconnect service if payment isn’t received immediately. Scammers approach consumers through a variety of means, including phone calls, text messages, emails and even in-person visits. However, the digital line of attack is increasingly more common. For example, new capabilities disguising caller ID or “spoofing” can make the phone number you see on caller ID appear to be from a trusted source. Spoofing makes it easier for scammers to deceive you because it’s more difficult to immediately verify the call. Another recent scam uses fraudulent websites that are identical to a utility payment webpage––and what’s worse, these pages are often promoted on search engines to trick consumers into clicking and making a payment. Another recent scam involves phone calls, text messages or emails claiming you overpaid your electric bill and will receive a cash or banking refund. This offer may seem too good to be true, and it is––it’s likely a scam aimed to steal your personal information. Spotting a Scam There are several red flags you can watch for to identify an energy scam. Scammers often use high-pressure tactics to create a sense of urgency, like claiming your electricity or other services will be disconnected if a payment isn’t made immediately. Additionally, scammers may ask for unusual payment methods such as gift cards or cryptocurrency. If someone is pushing for an unusual payment method, it’s likely a scam. You’ve probably noticed that many digital scams, like emails or text messages, include poor grammar, spelling errors and odd email addresses. These are red flags, so when you see these dodgy forms of communication, consider it a potential scam. What Orange County REMC Will (and Won’t) Do Orange County REMC will never demand an instant, immediate payment and threaten to disconnect your service without prior notices or warnings. We strive to resolve challenging situations and work with our members to avoid disconnects. Orange County REMC will never ask for your Social Security number or banking details over the phone or through email. We offer several secure payment options, including in-person, on our website, at www.myremc.coop, or through our SmartHub App. Avoiding Scams Whether in-person, over the phone or online, always be suspicious of an unknown individual claiming to be an REMC employee requesting banking or other personal information. We will only send you text messages if you have opted in for important alerts like outage alerts. If you’re ever in doubt about a potential energy scam, just give us a quick call at (812) 865-2229 so we can assist. Your REMC wants to help protect you and our community against utility frauds, and by notifying us about potential scams, you can create the first line of defense. We encourage you to report any potential scams so we can spread the word and prevent others in our community from falling victim. Matt Deaton General Manager/CEO

Career Success Story Hannah Carter - Orange County REMC's Human Resources and Benefits Administrator For Hannah Carter, it was love at first sight, and it all started the summer after her high school graduation. An internship at Orange County REMC blossomed into a full-blown career. “After that first summer working here, I told my mom I wanted to work at the co-op. I wanted to stay there full time,” she said. Now, Carter is the human resources and benefits administrator at the REMC. And she says she’s in this relationship for the long haul. Carter said her internship gave her a complete education in the workings of the cooperative. “I started working out front as a member services representative. I took payments and ran to the bank and post office every day. And then I did a little bit of all the tasks. I helped with the annual meeting. The longer I was there, I was able to do service orders, take phone calls, and walk customers through high-bill complaints and things like that. They threw me into anything and everything. I helped with some of the operations. I would work outages in the night.” After her first summer at the REMC, Carter went to the University of Southern Indiana, where she began working on her human resources and business management degree. She continued interning at the REMC through the following three years. After graduating from USI, the co-op did not have a full-time position available. Disappointed, Carter took an HR position at a nearby manufacturing facility. The following year, the office manager called and said the REMC had added broadband fiber to its services and was hiring. Carter leaped at the opportunity and started as a member services representative. In 2021, the REMC had grown so much with its new fiber division that it pulled HR out of the office manager's duties and promoted Carter as the first HR and benefits administrator. “HR, in general, is a rewarding job. You get to help people; you can learn about their families. Being at the co-op, where you’re not as big as a factory, we get that small town, family feel. It’s been a wonderful opportunity for me,” Carter said. “The small-town life is just superior to city life …. Everybody knows everybody. And that's one thing I love about the co-op: you're able to build so many relationships with the members.” In her HR position, Carter gathers and reviews all job applications, does phone screening, sets up and sits through interviews, offers positions and onboards new hires, does payroll, and more. One of her favorite duties is overseeing the intern program. “We’ve had a decent number of interns who have become full-time employees. That program means a lot to me because that’s how I started. I started when I was 18, and I learned how to do real life here. All the big moments in my life were here: I graduated high school, and then I got married and bought my first house,” she said. “Interns,” she continued, “just have such potential for a long career with a cooperative. And the amount of growth they are capable of, and the amount of growth you can see from them being a high school intern to a college intern to a full-time employee.”

Orange County REMC sponsors a student at Camp Kilowatt Orange County REMC sponsored one student at the annual Camp Kilowatt. The camp was held June 5-8, 2024, at Camp Tecumseh in Brookston, Indiana. Students entering seventh grade this fall were eligible to attend and were selected by their local cooperative to participate in the four-day program. The students’ agenda combined traditional outdoor camp activities with environmental education, electrical safety practices and cooperative business education. “This was a great way for students to learn about the role of the electric cooperative in their community. On top of that, they experienced all the fun of camp,” said Hope Matthew, Marketing & Communications Coordinator at Orange County REMC. The student representing Orange County REMC at Camp Kilowatt was Ella Guetig of Campbellsburg. The Camp Kilowatt program was developed by a committee of Indiana Electric Cooperative employees. It is funded in part by Indiana’s electric cooperatives, Hoosier Energy, Wabash Valley Power Alliance, Indiana Electric Cooperatives, and other industry partners.