Three more Ozarks youth head to the nation’s capital

Three area students will represent White River Valley Electric Cooperative and travel to Washington, D.C., with the national Youth Tour June 9-15. Lance Junck from Branson High School, Victoria Walling from Forsyth High School, and Corbyn Snodgrass from School of the Ozarks.  They were chosen from 10 finalists at a banquet on April 7 at the Keeter Center on College of the Ozarks campus.

The other seven finalists were Shania Kulp, Hollister; Hailey Herrell, Ava; Evan Davis, Chadwick; Elizabeth Rayburn, Bradleyville; Jennifer Essary, Reeds Spring; Cameron Edmonson, Spokane; and Knight Hrehor who is home educated.

High school juniors from participating schools across WRVEC’s five-county service area each submitted an essay or video that answered the question, “In 100 years, what do you want to be your life’s legacy?”

One winner from each participating school was chosen by a panel of three judges. The first round judge panel included Leon Combs, local author and businessman; Daphne Marshall, school and community volunteer; and Carol Shell Harris, public relations and freelance writer.

Each of the ten finalists took a quiz about electric cooperatives and presented their essay in front of friends, family and a second panel of judges at the banquet.  Janet Ellis, KRZK On-air radio personality; Nicholas Appleton of Jackson+Appleton video production services and the three returning winners of 2016; Thomas Pointer of Gainesville, Zach Richardson of Ozark and Adam Barker who was home educated.

Three winners were announced at the close of the evening.  Junck, Walling, and Snodgrass will join more than 1,200 other winners from electric cooperatives across the country for an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., where they will tour national monuments, visit with elected officials and experience government in action.

Photo (1) caption: The 2017 Youth Tour winners, from left to right, who will represent WRVEC in Washington, D.C., in June, are Lance Junck, Victoria Walling, and Corbyn Snodgrass.

Photo (2) caption: The 2017 Youth Tour finalists from left to right are (FR) Victoria Walling, Hailey Herrell, Jennifer Essary, Elizabeth Rayburn, Shania Kulp, (BR) Evan Davis, Cameron Edmonson, Lance Junck, Knight Hrehor, and Corbyn Snodgrass.

The full photo album can be viewed at: http://bit.ly/WRVECYouthTour2017

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