Greatness Runs in the Family
By Samantha Bryant
Layton and Kade McAdams’ parents have joked that the only thing the brothers have in common is their last name. Layton, 17, is outgoing and laid-back, while his older brother, Kade, 22, is more reserved and a Type A personality.
However, Tri-County Electric Cooperative saw leadership and communications abilities in both and selected them for the Government-in-Action Youth Tour trip to Washington, D.C., in June—Layton in 2023 and Kade in 2019.
“We’re similar where it counts,” said Kade, pointing to a strong work ethic, good values and sense of compassion instilled in the brothers by their family and public speaking skills gained at Seymour High School, about 50 miles southwest of Wichita Falls.
Layton and Kade also were each selected from among more than 150 of their peers to represent Texas on the nationwide Youth Leadership Council, a prestigious opportunity for Youth Tour participants to learn about public speaking, the energy industry and the cooperative business model.
“I was completely shocked,” Layton said about being chosen by the selection committee after giving his speech. “The other two finalists were amazing, and I never dreamed I stood a chance against them.”
As a part of YLC, Layton returned to Washington in July 2023 with delegates from 44 other states, and he represented Texas at the nationwide gathering for electric cooperatives in San Antonio the following March.
“Attending Youth Tour and being chosen as the YLC has made me more confident in myself as well as a better communicator and leader,” Layton said. “I know this will make me better at everything I do in the future.”
Layton plans to attend Texas Tech University to study natural resources management or agribusiness. Kade is also heading to Texas Tech this summer to pursue his interest in rural medicine after graduating from Texas A&M University with a business degree.
Kade said Youth Tour gave him the confidence boost he needed to know he could succeed at a large university. “I 100% give credit to YLC and the Youth Tour for getting me to the point where, once I did get into college, I did go after a lot of leadership positions and a lot of different organizations and programs,” he said.