Washington, here we come
Documentaries on television or on YouTube might be informative, but it can’t compare to a hands-on experience. Six students at schools in the Mohave Electric Cooperative service territory were selected as representatives for the 2020 Washington Youth Tour. The once-in-a-lifetime opportunity will bring history and knowledge to their fingertips. Funding for the trip is through Assigned Capital Credits at no cost to members. “It’s an incredible opportunity for the kids,” said Terry Puryear, public affairs coordinator at MEC and a chaperone for the 2019 tour. “This trip has the potential to change the lives of these students. It’s fun, entertaining, educational, thoughtful, and emotional. “I watched students become emotional as the group toured the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. It was a somber experience.” The 2020 winners will now have the same opportunity to explore history. MEC received a record 22 applications from students at five high schools. Judges reviewed student essays and 14
Left to right, Alex Cotter, Mohave High School, Madelynn Mac Donald, MHS, Ashley Lively, River Valley High School, Alexmi Gallardo, RVHS, Ibrahim Ramadan, Montessori Preparatory Academy, alternate Tianna Williams, Montessori, and Zainab Ramadan, MHS.
finalists were selected to advance. The final stage involved presentations ranging from 4-5-minutes before a panel of four judges. Their scores were tabulated and winners were announced afterward. The winners are: Madelynn Mac Donald, Mohave High School, Ibrahim Ramadan, Montessori Preparatory Academy, Alex Cotter, MHS, Zainab Ramadan, MHS, Alexmi Gallardo, River Valley High School, Ashley Lively, RVHS, and alternate Tiana Williams, Montessori. “All of the students did a wonderful job with their essays and presentations,” Puryear said. “There’s joy and sorrow involved with the competition. The joy comes from naming the winners and the sorrow from telling others they won’t be making the trip. Unfortunately, we can only take six. “They made the job of the judges quite difficult.” Students will have an opportunity to visit historic sites, spend time at Smithsonian museums, tour memorials, hear about the importance of the cooperative model, and meet their member of Congress. Any high school junior whose parents or guardians are MEC members is eligible to apply. This marks the 28th year MEC has selected area students to participate in the Washington Youth Tour. “Mohave Electric is proud to sponsor this competition,” Puryear said. “Today’s students will be tomorrow’s leaders and this is a chance for six youths to take that first step.”
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