Greenwell Springs, Louisiana – DEMCO is accepting entries to their annual Youth Tour essay contest through January 22, 2021. The contest is open to high school juniors in a seven-parish service area: Ascension, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Livingston, St. Helena, Tangipahoa, and West Feliciana.

Customarily the prize for the winners is an all-expense paid trip to participate in the NRECA Rural Electric Youth Tour in Washington, D.C.; however, this year’s trip has been cancelled due to COVID. This year, four winners will receive a $2,000 scholarship award, comparable to the value of the customary trip to D.C. 

“Although winners may not be able to experience our nation’s capital, DEMCO will still hold this great competition for our talented young people,” says Randy Pierce, DEMCO CEO and general manager.

Twelve semi-finalists will participate remotely, giving an oral presentation of their written essay for judging, and four will be selected to receive the scholarship award.

“Each year we receive so many interesting essays from eleventh grade students throughout our service area – they are so bright and share many wonderful insights in their competitive essay entries,” says David Latona, DEMCO Vice President of Marketing and Member Services.

Students must submit an original essay in the form of a letter addressed to a political leader about a topic of concern and importance to the student-author. Entries are due by Friday, January 22, 2021; eligibility requirements are detailed at www.DEMCO.org/youth-tour-essay-contest.

DEMCO powers 112,000 meters that serve over a half-a-million people in a seven-parish service area of Southeast Louisiana: Ascension, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Livingston, St. Helena, Tangipahoa, and West Feliciana.