10 youth delegates sponsored by Wood County Electric Cooperative Inc. (WCEC) recently attended the 2014 East Texas Rural Electric Youth Seminar (ETREYS) held on the campus of East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, TX. These youth joined approximately 120 other participants, each sponsored by one of 8 East Texas electric cooperatives, to participate in the ETREYS program, which is designed to foster positive ideals, enhance leadership skills, and to teach the cooperative philosophy.
The schedule consisted of many team-building exercises, as well as presentations by outstanding speakers that included teen motivational speaker, writer and producer, Shannon Pickard; and retired professional New York Giants football player Keith Davis, among others.
The delegates that represented WCEC for ETREYS 2014 were: Katlin Davis, Yantis; Jacob Frazier, Winnsboro; Rachel Hays, Alba; Jhett Jackson, Quitman; Kaylyn Knight, Winnsboro; Derek McCreight, Miller Grove; Javin Murdock, Winnsboro; Claire Pickens, Mineola; Chandler Poe, Quitman; and Chase Turner, Quitman. Makenzie Cox returned from the 2013 year as the Youth Director to lead the 2014 seminar. At the seminar, Jhett Jackson was awarded the Juan D. Nichols scholarship valued at $750 and Katlin Davis was awarded a $500 scholarship. Katlin, chosen by her peers, was also selected as the 2015 Youth Director and will return lead the 2015 delegates.
WCEC CEO/General Manager Debbie Robinson said, “Nothing pleases me more than to be able to offer wonderful educational and growth experiences for our youth. We had an exceptional group of students this year. I’m so pleased they were able to benefit from this program and we look forward to watching them as they progress.”
Wood County Electric Cooperative, Inc. is a not-for-profit electric cooperative with the mission of providing member-customers reliable electric service at a reasonable rate. WCEC serves over 34,000 meters in parts of nine counties throughout northeast Texas, including Camp, Franklin, Hopkins, Rains, Smith, Titus, Upshur, Van Zandt, and Wood.