OPALCO student ambassadors earn honors
Published 8:20 am Friday, August 3, 2012
Six local high school students participated in the Idaho Consumer-Owned Utility Association “Youth Rally” through Orcas Power and Light’s scholarship program.
Two of the students brought home top scholarships from the ICUA. Those selected as OPALCO’s Nourdine Jensen Cooperative Youth Scholarship award winners are: Cameron Schuh (Orcas), Marné Cook and Joe O’Bryant (Lopez), and Paige Carlson and Me’Tairie Kilpatrick-Boe (San Juan Island).
Connar Smith, of San Juan Island, returned as a youth director at the rally, a week-long leadership camp at the College of Idaho. Smith traveled to Idaho in March to plan the programming for the rally.
Schuh received the top scholarship award of $500 and was elected youth director for the 2013 program. O’Bryant received a $400 scholarship and Cook received a $100 award.
“This was such a valuable experience,” said Suzanne Olson, scholarship program coordinator and rally chaperone. “It’s great to see our students from three islands connect with each other primarily – rising above football rivalries and perceived differences between island cultures. They then mix in with about 100 peers from rural co-ops all over the western states, really shine in their leadership activities and are recognized for their efforts.”
The students participated in forums with regional leaders from the power industry, learned the basics of electricity and how co-ops work from the grassroots up – and then put their knowledge to work in team building exercises and games. The classroom time was balanced with activities like bowling, roller-skating, social dances and a day at a water park. Check out a slide show of the rally at www.opalco.com/programs/youth-rally-scholarships/.
The scholarship program is open to sophomores and juniors of OPALCO member households. It includes a $500 award, an all-expenses paid trip to the rally in Idaho for the rally. Go to www.opalco.com for more information. Applications for the program will be accepted beginning in January 2013.
