MONROE, Ga. – Besides being a once-in-a-lifetime experience for Abbas Rangwala, Walton Electric Membership Corporation’s (EMC) Washington Youth Tour also played a big part in charting his future course.

As a part of Walton EMC’s Washington Youth Tour, Brookwood High Student Abbas Rangwala, right, met and talked with U.S. Representative Rob Woodall of Georgia’s 7th District. “I could go on for hours about how much the tour has helped me,” said Rangwala.

“Not only did going on the tour and meeting with congressmen, learning leadership skills and learning about the government give me an interest in politics, it actually helped me to decide my college major,” said Rangwala.

The Brookwood High School student represented Walton EMC in 2018 on the annual summer adventure that awaits students selected to participate.

Walton EMC is sending four local high school sophomores and/or juniors to Atlanta and Washington, D.C., on June 13 – 20, 2019, to see the sights and learn valuable leadership skills. Included are audiences with state and national leaders.

Past tour stops included the White House, Capitol, Smithsonian, National Mall, National Holocaust Museum and various memorials. Social activities include a cruise on the Potomac River and dining at restaurants like the Hard Rock Café.

Besides gaining an understanding of government, experiencing important pieces of our country’s history and getting beneficial instruction in soft skills, participants also develop a valuable network of friends.

“I met so many intelligent and ambitious people, and I've made so many good friends, many of whom I still talk to regularly,” said Rangwala.

It’s easy for students to qualify for the tour. Students must:

• Be a high school sophomore or junior
• Live or attend a school in Walton EMC’s service area
• Have a parent’s permission to enter
• Commit to making the trip on June 13 – 20 if chosen

It’s also easy to enter. Take these steps:

• Complete and send the necessary forms to Walton EMC by 5 p.m., Friday, Feb. 8, 2019. Get the forms here.
• Study the material sent in the mail.
• Take a written test on Monday, March 4, 2019, covering the study material.
• The eight contestants scoring highest on the written test will advance to a short interview.
• Judges will choose four winners and two alternates.

Walton EMC is a customer-owned electric company with 129,000 accounts in 10 Northeast Georgia counties between Atlanta and Athens.

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