April 2005

Walton EMC Names Washington Winners

Area students compete for spot in annual leadership event

Four talented students recently won a coveted spot on Walton EMC's 2005 Washington Youth Tour.

Anna Bleau and Craig Smith from Brookwood High School along with Ashley Kraeling and Emily Martin of Oconee County High School will represent Walton EMC on the tour this June.

“The students were all well qualified,” said WEMC's Kathy Ivey, who served as a judge for the contest.   “It was difficult to choose the final four.”

The first part of the competition consists of a written test on basic electricity, cooperatives, Walton EMC history and facts and other energy related topics.   The eight top scorers then go on to an interview session where four winners and two alternates are selected.

While on the tour, delegates will first spend time in Atlanta where they participate in leadership development and meet with state lawmakers.   Tours of Atlanta landmarks, like the Capital and CNN Center are also on the agenda.

The group then goes to Washington where they continue to meet with lawmakers, including a luncheon with Georgia's Congressional delegation.   More leadership training and seeing famous sites, including a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, round out the tour.

Almost 90 students from EMC's throughout Georgia will participate in this year's tour.

High school sophomores and juniors who live or attend school in Walton EMC's ten-county service area are eligible each year to apply for the Youth Tour contest.   Watch next January for 2006 information.

More Information: Georgia EMC's Youth Tour pages

Eight finalists recently vied for their spot on the 2005 Walton EMC Washington Youth Tour.   Sitting is Claire Dellinger, Anna Bleau and Shelley Acuff.   Standing is Ashley Kraeling, Stephen Motter, Jack Grovenstein, Emily Martin and Craig Smith.

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