GREENWELL SPRINGS, La. – DEMCO recognized twelve outstanding high school juniors at its 48th annual essay contest banquet, celebrating their innovative ideas and achievements. Hundreds of essays were submitted from schools across DEMCO’s seven-parish service area, including Ascension, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Livingston, St. Helena, Tangipahoa, and West Feliciana parishes.
Proud parents, teachers, school administrators, DEMCO representatives, and board members gathered as each finalist presented their thought-provoking essay.
“These students are not just participants; they are future leaders with bright ideas that will shape our communities,” said Randy Pierce, chief executive officer of DEMCO. “We are honored to support and recognize their efforts.”
As part of the competition, finalists demonstrated their knowledge of rural electrification and facts about DEMCO through a written exam. They then delivered their essays before a panel of judges, who scored them on clarity of speech, poise, eye contact, and overall confidence.
Following a competitive selection process, each of the twelve finalists received a $500 scholarship award.
Contest winners are Amara Nwabueze (Zachary High), Elliana Overton (Baton Rouge High), and Isabella Farris, Jakob Farrar, Ashlynn Voytas, and Jet Kroll (Central High).
Other finalists recognized for their outstanding participation are Ambellina Farris, Caitlin Nixon, and Kenadie Babin (Central High), Alexander Gilfour (Denham Springs High), and Anna Milton and Kendall McDavid, (West Feliciana High).
The six winning students will travel to Washington, D.C., this summer as part of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) Youth Tour. They will join approximately 1,500 other students from 43 states to explore the nation’s capital, meet with congressional representatives, and gain a deeper understanding of the role electric cooperatives play in their communities.
“Our cooperative believes in empowering the next generation by providing opportunities for growth, learning, and leadership,” said Pierce. “These finalists demonstrated exceptional insight, and we are proud to support their future endeavors.”
The Association of Louisiana Electric Cooperatives coordinates and chaperones the annual Youth Tour trip for participating students from Louisiana. During their visit to Washington, D.C., students will tour the U.S. Capitol, the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. Supreme Court, the National Archives, Arlington National Cemetery, and other historically significant sites.
Since pioneering Louisiana’s participation in the Rural Electric Youth Tour in 1978, DEMCO has remained committed to investing in future leaders. Through programs like the annual essay contest, DEMCO continues to support education and leadership development for students across its service area.
For more information about DEMCO’s youth programs, visit DEMCO.org/Community.
Photo: 2025 Essay Contest Finalists
L to R front: Isabella Farris, Jakob Farrar, Kendall McDavid, Kenadie Babin, Caitlin Nixon, Anna Milton
L to R back: Ashlynn Voytas, Jet Kroll, Ambellina Farris, Amara Nwabueze, Elliana Overton, Alexander Gilfour
Photo: 2025 Essay Contest Winners
L to R: Jakob Farrar, Amara Nwabueze, Jet Kroll, Ashlynn Voytas, Elliana Overton, Isabella Farris
