Twelve high school juniors made their parents and teachers proud as they competed for trips to Washington, D.C., and college scholarships.All 12 finalists walked in as winners in Cuivre River’s 49th Annual Youth Tour contest. Final judging helped determine the prize.Six high school juniors earned the chance to visit historic landmarks and enjoy many other sights at the nation’s capital this summer. Six earned $500 scholarships to the universities of their choice.Youth Tour delegates selected were Jane Zuroweste and Chloe Momphard, both of Troy Buchanan High School; Unsun Lee, Fort Zumwalt South High School; Ben Mertens, Warrenton High School; Brendan Heslin, Francis Howell Howell School; and Audrey Hahn, a homeschool student.Alishia Curry, Bowling Green High School, was named an alternate and will replace Lee on the trip.Lee will receive a $500 scholarship along with Emily Kurtz and Caroline Neal, both of Timberland High School; Christopher Vogt and Destineé Frost, both of Warrenton High School; and Brianna Hines, Fort Zumwalt South High School.Students from more than 12 schools entered the preliminary stage of competition by submitting an essay. The top 12 students won the opportunity to advance to the final competition. In the final stage students took a cooperative knowledge quiz and presented their essays orally.This year’s topic was “My Favorite Cooperative Principle.” Students were asked to select one or more of the seven cooperative principles (Voluntary and Open Membership; Democratic Member Control; Members’ Economic Participation; Autonomy and Independence; Education, Training and Information; Cooperation Among Cooperatives, and Concern for Community) and explain in 500 to 1,000 words how Cuivre River uses the principles to make a positive impact in the community.Scores from all three contest segments were combined to select the delegates and scholarship recipients.“Concern for Community was a top favorite of nearly every student, but Education, Training and Information was a very close second,” said Manager of Communications Mary Jane Clark. “Students valued the way cooperatives work in their communities and support learning as a way to build a foundation for their future leadership.”Voluntary and Open Membership, and Autonomy and Independence also were viewed as important values that promote inclusion and social responsibility in what one student termed, “a different type of system in today’s world.”Each finalist named teachers who supported their contest entry efforts. Those teachers were Elizabeth O’Farrell, Bowling Green High School; Amanda Bramley, Fort Zumwalt South High School; Michele Dunaway, Francis Howell High School; Bridgett Campbell, Timberland High School; Rob Calvin, Troy Buchanan High School; Kristine Heimburger, Warrenton High School; and homeschool parent/teacher Carrie Hahn.Since 1964 Cuivre River has sponsored 216 students to visit their U. S. congressional delegations on Capitol Hill, take part in energy and grassrooots government education and leadership sessions, and see national historic memorials, landmarks and museums.The annual contest is open to students who live and attend school in Cuivre River’s general service area, or who have Cuivre River Electric service in their homes.For more information about the Youth Tour program, contact Tim Schmidt at 800-392-3709, ext. 4837, or by email at tschmidt@cuivre.com.Cuivre River Electric Cooperative is the largest member-owned electric distribution cooperative in Missouri. It provides service to more than 62,500 residential, business, commercial, industrial and agricultural members in Lincoln, Pike, St. Charles and Warren counties.Destinee Frost, left, and Christopher Vogt, right.
Students who will represent Cuivre River as Youth Tour delegates in Washington, D.C., next month include, from left, homeschool student Audrey Hahn, Unsun Lee of Fort Zumwalt South High School, Chloe Momphard and Jane Zuroweste of Troy Buchanan High School, Ben Mertens of Warrenton High School and Brendan Heslin of Francis Howell High School. Submitted photo.
