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.”
United Electric sponsored returning directors Camilla and Eliza Yearsley and Emeline Bliss, as well as Caleb Hansen, Tegan Terry, Lindsey Seibold and Andelyn Palmer.
In addition to listening to speakers, participants learned about electric co-ops, careers within the utility industry, the basics of electricity, watched a safety demonstration, toured the Idaho 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.”
Don’t Text & Drive
Shauna Sauer, of Middleton, spoke about the lingering impact of her daughter, Taylor, dying in an accident in 2012 because she was texting about the Broncos playing in the Super Bowl.
Driving 80 miles an hour at night up King Hill on Interstate 86, Taylor reared 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?”
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 awareness 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.
A final speaker, Mark Dalton, an investigator with the Idaho Attorney General’s Internet Crimes Against Children unit, advised teens to be aware of what they post online so it will not come back to hurt them in the future.
Throughout the week, observers watch 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.
The ICUA Youth Rally helps foster the next generation of young adults and helps participants build leadership skills.