White River Valley Electric Cooperative Youth Tour Winners Receive Scholarship
Pictured Left to Right: 2023 Youth Tour Winners, Abigail Fulnecky (Nixa), Matthew Martin (Nixa), and Alieah Youngblood (School of the Ozarks).
Branson, MO –
White River Valley Electric Cooperative (WRVEC) is proud to announce the winners of the 2023 Youth Tour essay competition in which three area students will represent WRVEC and travel to Washington, D.C.
The 2023 winners are Abigail Fulnecky (Nixa), Matthew Martin (Nixa), and Alieah Youngblood (School of the Ozarks). The winners were chosen from a group of 10 finalists during WRVEC’s annual Youth Tour banquet held on March 31 at the College of the Ozarks.
The other finalists were Jackson Curtis (Branson), Dallas DuVall (Forsyth), Bayleigh Guidry (Lutie), Reese Hejlek (Reeds Spring), Rajan Raghani (Branson), Rilee Swearengin (Bradleyville), and Kaylee Williams (Sparta).
High school juniors from participating schools in White River Valley Electric Cooperative’s five-county service area submitted an essay or video that answered the question, “How will the Cooperative Power my Future?” At the banquet, finalists were given a quiz about electric cooperatives followed by a presentation of their essays in front of friends, family, and a panel of judges.
“The level of thought and detail all of the students put in their presentations was truly impressive,” said Cassie Cunningham, WRVEC Vice President/Chief Growth Officer-Marketing and Communications. “We look forward to watching all of these students grow as leaders in our communities.”
Pictured Left to Right: 2023 Youth Tour Finalists, Dallas DuVall, Alieah Youngblood, Kaylee Williams, Bayleigh Guidry, Reese Hejlek, Rilee Swearengin, Jackson Curtis, Abigail Fulnecky, Rajan Raghani, and Matthew Martin.
The three finalists will join more than 1,200 other winners from electric cooperatives across the United States at the Youth Tour taking place in Washington, D.C. from June 12-18. Fulnecky, Martin, and Youngblood each received an all-expenses paid trip to the Nation’s Capital which includes touring national monuments, visiting elected officials, and experiencing the government in action. In addition, they will receive a $1,500 scholarship from the Operation Round Up Trust board and an invitation to attend WRVEC’s annual meeting.
The annual Youth Tour contest is open to students who live and attend school in White River Valley Electric Cooperative’s service area, or who have WRVEC service in their homes. Submissions for the 2024 program will be accepted next spring. For more information about the Youth Tour program, visit https://www.whiteriver.org/community/youth-programs/youth-tour/.
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White River Valley Electric Cooperative is a Touchstone Energy Cooperative dedicated to ensuring our members receive safe and reliable service in their homes and businesses across five southwest Missouri counties including Ozark, Taney, Stone, Christian and Douglas.
