Two Eastern Shore Students Join 50th Annual Electric Cooperative Youth Tour of Washington, D.C. Two students from Virginia’s Eastern Shore enjoyed an expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. June 15-19 during the 50th Annual National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s (NRECA) Washington Youth Tour. Tom Golibart, a rising senior at Broadwater Academy in Exmore, and Stephanie Young, a rising senior at Arcadia High School in Oak Hall, were among 1,600 students from across the nation participating in this event. Their trip was sponsored by A&N Electric Cooperative. “The Youth Tour was amazing,” both students agreed. Young added, “It was really cool to meet with our Congressman, Scott Rigell, and have an up-close look at current politics. Plus, we made new friends from nearly every state and experienced history firsthand. It really made me think about what it means to be an American, and shows that people my age do care about this country.” The students toured Capitol Hill and also visited a variety of historical and cultural sites in the nation’s capital, including Arlington National Cemetery, Ford’s Theatre and the Newseum. Among the fun activities they enjoyed were a twilight dance cruise on the Potomac River and a performance of “The Lion King” at the Kennedy Center. As part of NRECA-sponsored National Youth Day on June 16, all of the state groups convened to learn from public figures and other inspirational speakers. This year’s agenda included Mike Schlappi, a four- time Paralympic Medalist and two-time world Champion Wheelchair Basketball champion. Schlappi shared his inspiring message for every American, young or old: “Just because you can’t stand up, doesn’t mean you can’t stand out!” Since 1964, the nation’s cooperative electric utilities have sponsored more than 50,000 high school juniors and seniors to visit their U.S. congressional delegations, learn from energy and grassroots government education sessions, and sightsee in the nation’s capital. New for this year is a partnership with Points of Light and generationOn to launch a student service project grant program. One winner from each state will be selected and will receive a $500 grant to fund an existing service project or jumpstart a new one. NRECA is the national service organization representing the nations 905 consumer owned, not for profit electric cooperatives, which provide electric service to 42 million people in 47 states. For more about this years Youth Tour, visit youthtour.coop. To learn how you can participate in future A & N Electric Cooperative Youth Tour programs, contact Patsy Goard at 757-787-9750.
Posted on: Thu, 10 Jul 2014 17:38:24 +0000
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