Students Gather For The Youth Tour to Washington, D.C.

South River EMC understands the importance of taking care of our kids. We strive to offer benefits to the children of our community in order to secure a brighter tomorrow.

Rural Electric Youth Tour

June 12-18, 2010 two rising seniors took advantage of some great adventures, on behalf of South River EMC. These students joined a delegation of North Carolina students in Washington, D.C. this summer as part of the Rural Electric Youth Tour. The Youth Tour involves more than 1,500 students representing electric cooperatives from across the nation. Each year, South River EMC offers this opportunity to area students to be a part of the unforgettable Rural Electric Youth Tour to Washington DC.

While in Washington DC, the North Carolina contingent joins electric cooperative representatives from throughout the United States for a week of fun and learning. Here is a glance of what experiences students have during the Youth Tour:

• Participate in Youth Day, where students learn more about America's electric cooperatives;
• Lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery;
• Visit Capitol Hill and meet with our North Carolina Senators and Congressmen;
• Visit the sites of Washington, D.C. including all the monuments;
• Vist the Smithsonian museums;
• Take a boat trip down the Potomac River;
• Visit the Newseum;
• Visit the Holocaust Museum and;
• Attend an All States Dance .

North Carolina's students establish a Soda Pop Co-op to provide a supply of affordable drinks while in Washington, D.C. Each student pays $1 to become a member of the cooperative. A board of directors is appointed and they hire a manager and assistant manager. At the end of the trip, the cooperative is dissolved and each student is refunded their membership fee and their capital credits.

In 2010, South River EMC was represented by Ashlyn Hair from Midway High School, and Cara White from Cape Fear High School.

"By far my most enriching experience from the trip was the day on Capitol Hill." 2010 Youth Tourist, Cara White.

Each year, the students return with many interesting stories and memories to last a lifetime. For more information about the Rural Electric Youth Tour, call Catherine O'Dell or Julie Wahl at 892-8071 or send an e-mail to sremc@sremc.com. Download your 2011 Youth Tour application soon. Application due date will be announced.

For more information on the Rural Electric Youth Tour visit the official National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Youth Tour site.

Scholarship

Gwen B. Price and Katie Bunch Scholarships

Students attending the Rural Electric Youth Tour are eligible to win the $2500 Gwen B. Price Scholarship and the $2000 Katie Bunch Memorial Scholarship. These scholarships are awarded annually at the North Carolina Electric Cooperative's Annual Meeting of Members in Raleigh.

These scholarships were established by the North Carolina Association of Electric Cooperatives Volunteers' Committee to aid young people who have limited financial resources and have exhibited outstanding scholastic and leadership abilities in their quest for a college education.