Greenwell Springs, Louisiana – Final judging of the 44th annual DEMCO Essay Contest was held via a Zoom remote event on Tuesday, March 2nd, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Essays were submitted from 174 eleventh grade students representing 25 schools in DEMCO’s seven-parish service area: Ascension, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Livingston, St. Helena, West Feliciana and Tangipahoa. Four students won the prize of a $2,000 scholarship award.

“The DEMCO essay contest provides so many learning opportunities for participating students to gain a better understanding of electric cooperatives,” said Randy Pierce, DEMCO CEO and General Manager. “It’s a wonderful annual event that demonstrates our commitment to co-op members, to education, and to the communities we serve.”

The four winners of the DEMCO 2021 Essay Contest are: Allie Slater, Central High School, Nia Jerro, Central High School, Destiny Kelly, Denham Springs High School, and Madison Brignac, French Settlement High School.

Other contest finalists are: Aubre Broussard, Dominic Graphia, and Brady Vidrine of Denham Springs High School; Skylar Hale, and Emma Millican of Central High School; Cody Flurry of Live Oak High School; Whitney Leblanc of Zachary High School; and Sarah Lindrew of St. Joseph’s Academy.

Judges scored contestants on their oral essay presentation, and knowledge about rural electrification and DEMCO.

DEMCO has hosted the annual essay contest since1978, with the customary prize of an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. to participate in the NRECA Youth Tour. Due to COVID, the 2021 prize for winners is a $2,000 scholarship award, comparable to the value of the trip.