Aiken Electric Co-op sponsors 6 students on D.C. Youth Tour 7/11/2009 12:24 AM
Submitted article Six local students were among more than 1,500 high school students visiting Washington, D.C., in June for the annual Rural Electric Youth Tour, sponsored by Aiken Electric Cooperative and the Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina.
Denzell Moton and Brendon Wilson of Aiken High School and Irie Eargle of Swansea High School joined Kyle Clarke, Akira Johnson and Trevor West from Wagener-Salley High School. The students were sponsored by Aiken Electric Co-op to attend the all-expenses-paid Washington Youth Tour.
The students were selected on the basis of their academic achievements, school activities, community service and a personal interview.
"This year, Aiken Electric is proud to offer six students this extraordinary opportunity to visit Washington, D.C.," said Gary L. Stooksbury, Aiken Electric Cooperative CEO. "The Youth Tour builds future leaders as they learn about our government and the grassroots efforts of the nation's electric cooperatives. By investing in these students, we believe we are directly investing in our area communities."
Each year, the entire national Youth Tour delegation converges on the steps of the nation's capital to meet their state representatives - U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham and Jim DeMint, as well as Rep. J. Gresham Barrett and Rep. James Clyburn.
South Carolina's electric cooperatives have sponsored the Washington Youth Tour since 1964. The trip is designed to educate students about our nation's capital, the sacrifices made for our freedoms and the value of the cooperative way of business.
The students return home with a greater appreciation of our nation's leaders, a respect for the beauty of Washington, D.C. and friendships that will last a lifetime.
"This was the greatest trip I have ever been on - it was awesome!" said Trevor West. "I met friends that I will have forever. I enjoyed everything we did from site-seeing, meetings, dances and having a lot of fun. Thank you, Aiken Electric Co-op, for this opportunity."
In addition to receiving an educational travel opportunity, Youth Tour winners also are eligible to compete for a $2,500 college scholarship and a slot on the Youth Leadership Council, made up of one delegate from each of the 47 states where electric cooperatives are located.
This year, the South Carolina students visited landmarks such as the White House, Arlington Cemetery, Mount Vernon, the Washington Monument and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
All high school juniors whose primary residence is served by Aiken Electric Cooperative are eligible to apply for the Youth Tour's six positions.
Applications for the 2010 Youth Tour will be available in January 2010 at area high schools, on Aiken Electric's website at www.aikenco-op.org, at Aiken Co-op offices or by calling (800) 922-1262.
Aiken Electric Cooperative is a customer-owned, nonprofit electric utility serving more than 44,000 customers in Aiken, Barnwell, Calhoun, Edgefield, Greenwood, Lexington, McCormick, Orangeburg and Saluda counties.
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