Kosciusko REMC announced the selection of three delegates to participate in the 2011 Electric Cooperative Youth Tour to Washington, D.C.
The delegates were selected from all applicants for the program, which was open to current high school juniors who are the dependents of cooperative employees or cooperative members. The selections were made based on the students' academic records, activities and volunteerism, and on an essay to explain how the cooperative business model differs from a traditional business.Andrew Anker is the son of KREMC members Steven and Cherri Anker, Leesburg. He attends Wawasee High School, where he is active in the high school band and participates in the Academic Super Bowl Social Studies Team. He is also an active Boy Scout, and serves as Senior Patrol Leader. He anticipates completing Eagle Scout status in June 2011. He also volunteers at his church, completing service projects with the church youth group and serving as sound technician during church services.
Heidi Kolberg is the daughter of KREMC members Doyle and Cindy Kolberg, Syracuse. She is also a junior at Wawasee High School, where she serves as president of Key Club, and is active in the school choir, among other activities. Heidi is also a nine-year member of 4-H, and participates in Kosciusko County Junior Leaders, the Syracuse Community Youth Initiative, and serves as an active volunteer at her church. She has won numerous awards for her community involvement and school activities.
Samantha Rhodes is the daughter of KREMC employee Steve Rhodes and Becky Rhodes. She is a junior at Fairview High School, Sherwood, Ohio. Samantha is active in school choir and theater, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, National Honor Society, and participates in varsity track and cross country. She also serves as editor of the school yearbook and is junior class president. In addition, she is a five year 4-H member, participates in a travel soccer league, and volunteers at the Humane Society.
These three students will represent Kosciusko REMC on the trip, joining other Indiana youth from June 9-16. Indiana's electric cooperatives have hosted Youth Tour since 1960, providing hundreds of young Hoosiers with the opportunity to visit our nation's capital and learn about the federal government and the cooperative utility industry.
According to Steve Rhodes, president and CEO of KREMC, the Indiana delegation will include approximately 75 students from throughout the state, each selected by their local electric cooperative. In 2010, more than 1,500 students representing cooperatives from around the country were in Washington for the conference.
"KREMC is pleased to be able to provide this opportunity for our members' and employees' children," Rhodes said. "It's a great trip and a wonderful chance to see the sights, make new friends and learn how everyone, even high school students, can make a difference in the political process."
The Indiana delegation will meet in Indianapolis June 9 to get acquainted and learn about the Indiana legislative process. The students will depart on Friday and spend their first evening in Gettysburg, Pa. On Saturday they will tour the Gettysburg National Battlefield in the morning and arrive in Washington, D.C., that evening. Sunday through Wednesday is a full schedule of sight-seeing, speakers, visits to the National Memorials, a collection of museums, including the Newseum, and a night cruise on the Potomac River.
KREMC is a member-owned Touchstone Energy® electric cooperative serving more than 17,000 customers throughout Kosciusko County and into surrounding counties.
