WASHINGTON YOUTH TOUR
Each year Valley Electric sponsors two (2) high school juniors who have competed and been selected to attend an all expense paid trip to our nations capital in Washington, D.C. This progarm has been successful in promoting excellence in youth development and in creating an awareness of the important role our electric cooperatives continue to play in electrifying rural America.
Contest rules are sent to the principal and/or guidance counselor of the local high schools in Valley's eight parish service area in November. The contest rules are posted for interested students. The contest rules and guidelines are as follows:
Rules:
1. Parents/Guardians must be a member of Valley Electric.
2. Student must be a high school junior.
3. Must have a 2.5 accumulative high scholl average or better on a 4.0 scale.
4. No immediate family member of Valley Electric employees or directors. (Immediate defined as son, daughter, brother, sister, or grandchildren.)
5. Must have written consent of parent/guardian.
6. Must submit an essay on an assigned topic of not more than 500 words, but not less than 300 words.
ASSIGNED ESSAY TOPIC FOR 2009 CONTESTANTS: 1) President elect Obama has said he would close down coal mining to decrease air polution. How will this effect our economy? OR 2) Now that gasoline prices are dropping, should Congress rethink or readdress its decision to drill off shore and in the ANWAR Basin in Alaska?
Guidelines:
A. Cover sheet attached to essay must include:
1. Name, age, and sex of student
2. Name, address, and telephone number of parent/guardian.
3. Names and address of school.
4. Name of principal and junior English teacher.
5. List of school activities.
6. Grade average.
7. Valley Electric account number.
B. Essay must be typed double space or written neatly in ink on one side of the paper.
C. Contestants should keep a copy of their own essay.
D. Essays become the property of Valley Electric and may be published at the discretion of the company.
The final juding will be based on the written essay and an oral interview. The top two students will be selected as contest winners.
ALL ESSAYS MUST BE MAILED TO JONI BASS, VALLEY ELECTRIC, P. O. BOX 659, NATCHITOCHES, LOUISIANA, 71457 OR DELIVERED TO 1725 TEXAS STREET, NATCHITOHCES PRIOR TO CONTEST DEADLINE WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2009 BY 4:30 P.M.
For more information contact Joni Bass at 318-352-3601 Ext.123 or 1-800-733-8430
or jbass@valleyelectric.coop.
T. J. Phillips of Many, Louisiana and Janae' Culbreath of Anacoco, Louisiana were the juniors chosen to represent Valley Electric in the 2006 Washington Youth Tour competition.
Steven Parrie of Zwolle, on left, took part in the 2007 Washington Youth Tour representing the Association of Louisiana Electric Co-ops. He was selected from among 4-H participants in the contest. Lyssa Littleton, middle, from Anacoco High School and Jacob "Jake" Funderburk, on right, from Florien High School were chosen to represent Valley Electric Membership Cooperative.
