Greenwell Springs, Louisiana – On Wednesday, March 14, at a banquet hosted by DEMCO, twelve eleventh-grade students competed as semi-finalists in the 46th annual DEMCO essay contest, and six students were announced as winners.
Winners of the contest are Julia Hebert and Maggie Tullier from Central High School, Lillie Lynch from West Feliciana High School, and Julia Blanchard, Eni Nwabueze, and Amelia Williams from Zachary High School. The prize is an all-expense paid summer trip where these six students will serve as DEMCO student delegates at the 2023 NRECA Youth Tour in Washington, DC.
Other semi-finalists who participated are Ethan Rispone from Central High School, Christopher Garrett, Callie Sproles, Tara Waller, and Kayten Zeigler from Denham Springs High School, and Austin Wiltz from Zachary High School.
A record-setting three-hundred thirty-four eleventh-grade students submitted an essay in letter format, addressed to a political leader with a topic of concern to the author.
“Each year we receive essays covering a wide range of topics – well-researched and contemplated issues shared from the perspective of our youth,” says Chanon Martin, DEMCO community relations specialist. “It’s inspiring and enlightening to hear the varied perspectives and insights from these young adults who are the bright minds of our future.”
Before the event, essays were judged by an independent panel of judges who narrowed the field to the twelve semi-finalists. Those students test their knowledge of the history of rural electrification and DEMCO facts, then deliver an oral presentation, scored on clarity of speech, poise, eye contact, and overall confidence.
Judges of the oral presentations were Jay Grymes, chief meteorologist at WAFB 9News, Jennifer Marsh, local sales manager for Louisiana Radio Network, and Trey Williams, senior account manager of Feigley Communications.
Keynote speaker Jeff Morrow, Midday Weather Anchor WAFT 9News and 2002 winner of the DEMCO essay contest provided perspective as a Youth Tour alum, sharing his experience as a DEMCO student ambassador. "I remember sitting in this room twenty-one years ago - and winning the trip to DC - all the people I met from all over the country was such a great experience and something I will always remember."
The Association of Louisiana Electric Cooperatives coordinates and chaperones the annual summer Youth Tour trip for participating Louisiana electric co-op students. During their stay in Washington, the Louisiana Youth Tour participants will visit the U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, Supreme Court, National Archives, Arlington Cemetery, and many other historically significant buildings and landmarks.
“Youth Tour provides so many learning opportunities for participating students to gain a better understanding of electric cooperatives as well as insight into how their national government operates,” says Martin. “It’s a wonderful annual event that demonstrates DEMCO’s commitment to co-op members, our youth and their education, and the communities we serve.”
DEMCO student ambassadors will join about 1,500 other Youth Tour participants from 43 different states to learn more about electric cooperatives.
DEMCO pioneered Louisiana's participation in the Rural Electric Youth Tour in 1978 when it sent the first students from Louisiana to Washington, D.C. The purpose of the Youth Tour program is to provide outstanding youth with an insight into how their national government operates.
