Contact: Priscilla Knight, 703-392-1580, pknight@novec.com
Five High School Students Selected by NOVEC Participate in Electric Cooperative Youth Tour
NORTHERN VIRGINIA—Five local students selected by the Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative joined more than 1,500 other high school juniors and seniors from across the country to witness the federal government in action at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s Youth Tour, June 14-18, 2009, in Washington, D.C.
NOVEC selected the students based on their grades and interests in government. Home-schooled, private school, and public school students were eligible to participate in the all-expenses-paid tour. Families of the selected students receive electricity from NOVEC.
The 2009 Youth Tour students were: Shane Grannum, Westfield High School, Chantilly; Susannah Jackson, Seton School, Manassas; Daniel Jenkins, Mountain View High School, Stafford; Sarah Rhodes, Kettle Run High School, Nokesville; and Veronica Sharpe, Forest Park High School, Woodbridge.
Speaking about the tour, Susannah Jackson said, “This trip gave me greater insight and perspective into the heart of our nation, and I feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to participate. I highly encourage all 10th and 11th grade customers of Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative to apply for this program.”
Shane Grannum said the Youth Tour “proved to be a learning experience, especially when my peers and I had the chance to meet with…Congressmen Wolf and Connolly of Districts 10 and 11.” He added, “I will carry the experiences of the Youth Tour with me for the rest of my life, as they have taught me to aspire and make a difference in [our] country.”
Lyndon Baines Johnson inspired the Youth Tour when he addressed the 1957 NRECA annual meeting in Chicago. The senator and future president declared, "If one thing goes out of this meeting, it will be sending youngsters to the national capital where they can actually see what the flag stands for and represents." Johnson’s idea grew into the NRECA Youth Tour in 1964. Since then, more than 40,000 students—including 210 from NOVEC—have participated in Youth Tour.
For more information about Youth Tour, visit the Cooperative’s community Web page at www.novec.com or contact Donna Snellings at 703-392-1511 or 1-888-335-0500 ext. 1511.
The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association is the national service organization dedicated to representing the interests of cooperative electric utilities and the consumers they serve.
