News Release

Local Students Head to Washington D.C.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 25, 2008

Contact Jennifer Broun, 770/266-2572

MONROE, Ga. – Studying paid off for four local students. Alex Dorner of Statham, Ashley Smith of Lawrenceville, Matthew Salley of Monroe and Timothy Philip of Lilburn won a spot on Walton Electric Membership Corporation’s (EMC) Washington Youth Tour.

These students placed in the top eight on the written test covering basic electricity, cooperatives, energy and electrical safety. Each candidate proceeded to an interview session where judges selected the top four as delegates for the trip.

Eight finalists recently vied for their spot to represent Walton EMC on the 2008 Washington Youth Tour. Pictured are (front) Ashley Smith-Brookwood High (winner); Kari Hayes-home school; Oliver Avaritt-Loganville High (alternate); Matthew Salley-George Walton Academy (winner); (middle) Daniel Motter-Marist High; Alex Dorner-North Oconee High (winner); (back) Timothy Philip-Parkview High (winner); and Tyler Beckett-North Oconee High (alternate).

Dorner, a sophomore at North Oconee, Smith, a junior at Brookwood, Salley, a Junior at George Walton and Philip, a junior at Parkview, will join students from EMCs across the state in Atlanta to kickoff the tour this June.

Delegates participate in leadership exercises, visit Atlanta sites and tour Roosevelt’s Little White House in Warm Springs before traveling to Washington where Georgia’s delegation convenes with 1,400 youth from cooperatives across the nation.

Students spend a day on Capitol Hill meeting with Georgia’s Congressional Delegation and participating in a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Other highlights include a visit to all the Washington monuments, the Smithsonian and the White House.

All high school sophomores and juniors who live or go to school in Walton EMC’s service area are eligible to apply for the Washington Youth Tour.  Applications for next year’s tour will be available at waltonemc.com in January 2009.

Walton EMC is a customer-owned power company that serves 117,000 accounts over its ten-county service area between Atlanta and Athens. It's subsidiary, Walton EMC Natural Gas, serves natural gas accounts statewide.

# # #