Photo courtesy of Stuart Byrd
Two Lord Botetourt FFA members, Sylvana Cavinder and Lilah Barker, recently attended the Virginia Institute on Cooperative Education (VICE), held March 20–22 at Graves Mountain Lodge in Syria, Va. The event was hosted by the Virginia Cooperative Council (VCC) and made possible through sponsorship from Rockingham Cooperative Ag Supply & Petroleum Service.
Both Botetourt students had an outstanding experience. Sylvana Cavinder earned first place in the competition, winning a $2,000 scholarship to support her future education. She will also represent Virginia at the National Institute on Cooperative Education in Atlanta, Georgia.
Each spring, the Virginia Cooperative Council sponsors the VICE Conference, a leadership event designed to educate high school juniors and seniors about cooperatives and the cooperative business model. Through interactive instruction– including the hands-on simulation “Who’s Minding the Store?”– students develop teamwork, leadership, and communication skills. Top participants have the opportunity to earn up to $2,000 in educational scholarships.
The primary goal of the VICE Conference is to teach students about the unique cooperative business structure in an engaging, educational, and entertaining environment. Prior to attending, the students visited Rockingham Cooperative to learn about the size and operations of a working cooperative. During the conference, they explored the history, importance, and distinct characteristics of cooperatives compared to other business models.
For more information about the VICE program, visit: www.virginia.coop/youth-activities/vice/.
~ Submitted by Stuart Byrd
