Visit Washington, D.C., on Us!
Wood County Electric Cooperative, Inc. (WCEC) is calling all eligible teens, High School students enrolled as a sophomore, junior or senior, to apply for the 45th Annual Government-in-Action Youth Tour. One lucky teen will win an all-expense-paid trip to our nation’s capital to experience a guided tour of Washington, D. C., June 14-22, 2012. The trip will include air fare, transportation while in Washington, hotel rooms, food costs, and tours of many exciting, educational, and inspiring sites. Parents or guardians will be responsible for transporting the teen to and from Irving, TX.
It’s simple to enter. Candidates must submit a 450 to 500 (about 1 typed page) word essay, which will be judged by an independent panel. This year’s topic is devoted to the cooperative principles. Essayists should pick one of the seven cooperative principles and write about what it means to them and how it makes non-profit member-owned electric cooperatives different from investor owned utilities. The essays will be judged on composition, neatness, originality, and knowledge of the subject.
The winner will travel with students from across Texas. This group, upon arriving in Washington, will join approximately 1,500 Youth Tour participants from across the country. This tremendous learning opportunity will include tours of Mount Vernon, the Smithsonian Museums, a boat cruise on the Potomac River, and other historical sites and memorials. Additionally, one day will be dedicated to touring the House and Senate Chambers, the Library of Congress, and meeting with Texas representatives.
Those wishing more information about the tour should visit http://youthtour.org to see pictures and videos from past annual tours.
ELIGIBILITY AND RULES
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High School students enrolled as a sophomore, junior or senior.
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Dependant of a Wood County Electric Cooperative member with permanent resident status in WCEC service area.
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No name should appear on the essay. On a separate cover sheet, the contestant should include: Student essayist name, name and address of parent/guardian who is a member of WCEC, contact telephone number and WCEC account number.
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Reference materials from various sources including libraries and the internet may be used; but the essay should be in the student’s own words.
