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Fifteen area high school juniors recently competed for the chance to represent West Florida Electric Cooperative during a week-long, all-expenses-paid trip to the nation’s capital this summer. The students from schools throughout the counties in WFEC's service area -- Calhoun, Holmes, Jackson and Washington -- were chosen by their high school principals or guidance counselors to represent their schools in WFEC’s 2005 Youth Tour competition, held March 22 at Blue Lake Activities Center in Chipley, Fla.. The contest is limited each year to eleventh-grade students whose parents or guardians are WFEC consumers, or member-owners.
A three-judge panel of experts from other electric co-ops quizzed the students individually about their knowledge of WFEC, the rural electrification program and energy facts, then evaluated the students’ responses, communication skills, poise and personalities. All the competitors participated in the two-day statewide Youth Tour in Tallahassee March 16 and 17, which included a tour of the old and new state capitols and an opportunity to meet government officials and observe the legislature in session.
Daniel L. Bernabe, Jr., of Bethlehem School, and Shana Dawn Robison, of Grand Ridge High School, were chosen winners of the competition, while John Daniel "J. D." Byrd, of Graceville High School, was named alternate. Bernabe and Robison will join other students representing electric cooperatives from throughout the country at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s Youth Tour. The trip will include a breakfast with congressional representatives, a Potomac River cruise and dance, visits to several historic sites, including the U. S. Capitol Building, the White House, Ford’s Theatre, Arlington National Cemetery, the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Holocaust Memorial Museum and more.
The Youth Tour program’s purpose is to provide public recognition to outstanding young people, and to acquaint high school students with governmental activities on a local, state and federal level. The winners of WFEC’s Youth Tour competition may compete against winners from other co-ops in Florida to represent the state on the national Youth Leadership Board.
WFEC is a Touchstone Energy® cooperative serving over 25,000 member-owners in Calhoun, Holmes, Jackson and Washington Counties.
Shown, front row from left are Ashley Duce , Malone HS; Kimberly Sloan Cottondale HS; Kate Atkins, BlountstownHS; Seanna Henderson, Poplar Springs HS; Kristen Cotton, Marianna HS; Daniel Bernabe (winner), Bethlehem School
Back row, from left: Jordan Lincoln, Victory Christian Academy; Savannah Whigham, Ponce de Leon HS; Shana Robison, (winner) Grand Ridge HS; Jerri Lynn Stone Sneads HS; Abby Smith, Vernon HS; Rachel Taylor, Holmes CountyHS; J.D. Byrd (alternate) Graceville HS; Robert Commerford, Chipley HS
Not pictured: Brandon Dysard, Altha HS
From left: Daniel Bernabe, winner, Bethlehem School; Shana Robison, winner, Grand Ridge High School; and J. D. Byrd, alternate, Graceville High School
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