Six San Juan County high-school students attended the Co-op Youth Rally at The College of Idaho as part of OPALCO’s Nourdine Jensen Cooperative Youth Scholarship Program. During the week-long leadership camp in July, four of the six students earned top scholarships ranging from $300-$600 from the Idaho Consumer-owned Utilities Association (ICUA), who hosts the camp.

The Youth Rally included a mix of classroom time, guest speakers and social networking. There were 75 students from seven western states in attendance at the co-op leadership camp. Each year students pick one student to return and act as Youth Director. Zach Fincher of Friday Harbor High School was elected by his peers to return in 2018.

OPALCO offers a $500 scholarship to students selected for the Nourdine Jensen Scholarship Program. New this year, the family of Nourdine Jensen on San Juan Island is matching each scholarship to give our island students $1,000 to continue their education. OPALCO is grateful to the family of Nourdine Jensen for their generosity and excited to offer the children of our Co-op the opportunity to learn how to be strong leaders, active participants in the community – and, someday, engaged members of our electric co-op.

Sophomores and Juniors interested in the program may apply in February 2018.

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