Mission Impossible

Teens envision personalized mission statements to develop their talents

Story and photos by Dianna Troyer

What do you do that makes you lose track of time and feel alive? What comes naturally to you that might be hard for others?

“Think about those questions and what you love and your talents when you write a mission statement for your life,” motivational speaker Lance Brown says. Lance spoke to 80 teens at the weeklong Idaho Consumer-Owned Utilities Association Youth Rally in July at The College of Idaho. Participants came to the rally from Idaho and throughout the Northwest to be part of a leadership and team-building camp.

“Each of you is unique with special talents,” Lance says. “Find your purpose and protect it from distractions. Incredible power lies in your vision and commitment to it. Be intentional with your time to accomplish your mission.”

Lance says teens should not limit themselves or their imaginations—anything is possible, and great milestones can be achieved with a little bit of innovation.

“Think of the motor-paced bicycle speed record,” he says. “Amazingly, it’s 184 miles an hour set on the Bonneville Salt Flats in 2018. A bicycle was built with innovative gears.”

Raft River Electric Co-op sponsored eight teens: returning director Barbara Briggs, Regina Bates, Naomi Campbell, Audrey Gilbert, Lily Hall, Heidi Harper, Thomas Harper and Amy Stanger.

In addition to listening to speakers, participants learned about electric co-ops, careers within the utility industry and the basics of electricity. They watched a safety demonstration, toured the Idaho state Capitol, performed in a talent show, spent a day at a water park, attended a formal banquet and dance, earned scholarships and made lifelong friendships.

Lance encouraged them “to read your statement every day.”

Boot-Check Time
Teens were reminded to have meaningful conversations with friends and family about their well-being as a way to practice mental health wellness and prevent suicide. Madee Owens and Derek Malone, representatives of the Jae Foundation in Twin Falls, told Jae’s story.

Jae Bing’s friends and family were shocked in 2016 when he took his life. At his funeral, they decided to create something good from the tragedy. They noticed how many people were wearing cowboy boots and recalled how Jae, a talented country swing dancer, cherished his boots.

They launched the foundation and in 2022 began giving away cowboy boots as a reminder to check on each other, take a few “boot-check” moments to talk to someone, and offer a connection, hope and healing.

Don’t Text and Drive
Shauna Sauer, of Middleton, spoke about the lingering impact of the death of her daughter, Taylor, in a 2012 accident. Taylor had been texting about the Broncos playing in the Super Bowl at the time of the crash.

Driving 80 miles an hour at night up King Hill on Interstate 86, Taylor rear-ended a slow-moving truck.

Shauna launched a campaign, “Don’t Let Your Send be the End,” reminding teens to not text while driving.

“For years, her death has had a ripple effect on family, friends and even strangers,” Shauna says. “Her death was avoidable and devastating. Who would you put your phone down for? Who would be impacted the most by your death?”

Throughout the week, observers watched the students for participation, communication, personal growth and leadership. At the end of the week, more than $10,000 in outstanding achievement awards and scholarships were awarded based on individual scores.

Thomas, Naomi, Regina and Audrey received scholarships, cash prizes and outstanding achievement awards. Thomas received the highest score at the rally and will represent Idaho during the weeklong Washington, D.C., Youth Tour and NRECA Annual Meeting. He was also elected by his peers to return next year as a youth director for the rally.

The youth rally helps foster the next generation of young adults and helps participants build leadership skills.

Diverse Missions

Raft River teens shared what they envision as their lifelong missions.

Thomas says his mission is pursuing a career as an electrical engineer and possibly working at an electric co-op.

“Whatever my job, I want to connect with people, to be a good listener and to be someone that people know they can talk to,” he says.

Regina says what gratifies her “is seeing others find joy.”

“I love to sketch and would love to be an animator one day or a psychologist, to be the person who helps others feel happy,” she says.

Barbara says hours pass without her noticing when she spends time with her horses, cows, dogs and chickens.

“I love being around all animals and want to eventually become a veterinarian for large and small animals,” she says.

Barbara intends to enroll in Bridgerland Technical College’s veterinary technician program and work at a clinic before applying to Utah State University’s veterinary school.

Amy’s mission is to work in the medical field.

“I’m interested in becoming an ultrasound technician,” she says. “Whatever job I have, I’d like to help moms who lost kids, to give them hope about having a family.”

Lily says her mission is to either work in the medical field or as an electrician.

“I have so many interests,” she says. “I’m interested in sports medicine. After hearing about co-op careers, I’d also consider being a lineworker or residential electrician. I love being outside—big game hunting with friends and family. Playing piano and singing makes me happy, too.”

Naomi says hiking, yard games, being with her family, reading and music make her lose track of time.

“To relax, I play piano, especially Disney songs and ‘Phantom of the Opera,’” she says.

For the talent show, Naomi and Lily sang “Wondering” by Olivia Rodrigo and Julia Lester.

Heidi says “running is my happy place, being on the track sprinting.”

She has set several personal records that qualified her for nationals in Eugene, Oregon.

“Running makes me feel free and strong,” Heidi says. “When I’m not running, I love just hanging out with family.”

Audrey loses track of time while reading or writing fantasy fiction, especially books by her favorite authors, Kasie West and Traci Hunter Abrahamson.

“I’m thinking of a career in journalism and looking at Utah State to study communication,” she says.