Juniors Jessi Bolin and Tanaya Heath from Ada High School and Adelyn Clary from Tishomingo High School have been chosen as delegates to the annual Washington D.C. Youth Tour, an all-expense paid leadership experience coordinated by the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives and sponsored by People’s Electric Cooperative (PEC).
Since 1964, more than 50,000 young Americans have taken advantage of this special opportunity offered by their local electric cooperative. PEC alone has sent 107 students since 1964.
“To be chosen for the trip is a real honor,” PEC’s vice-president of corporate communications and community relations Jennifer Boeck said. “Particularly since applicants vie for the coveted three spots alongside other teens across PEC’s eleven county service area who are community volunteers, student athletes, and members of respected academic organizations such as National Honor Society, student council, Future Business Leaders of America, and Future Farmers of America, among many other prized clubs and associations.”
Approximately 200 juniors were presented the Youth Tour opportunionn local schools during January, and during February just over 80 students sat for a written test over materials about rural electrification. At the conclusion of the testing dates, an invitation was extended to the students receiving the top 10 scores on the test in order to compete in a final interview competition. PEC’s three winning delegates Bolin, Heath and Clary were selected by a panel of judges based on their poise, originality and personality during their personal interviews.
Also representing their respective schools in the interview portion of the contest were the following finalists: 1st Alternate, John Landon Cox, Byng High School; 2nd Alternate, Mariah Thompson, Tishomingo High School; Jackson Cook, Byng High School; Colson Hall, Holdenville High School; Faith Lawson, Ada High School; Callen Leslie, Byng High School; Roxane Thompson, Byng High School.
About the Delegates
Jessi Bolin of Ada High School is very outgoing, friendly, and adventurous. She is on the varsity tennis team, an officer for the Japanese Interact Club, a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, National Honor Society, Art Club and Spanish Club. In her spare time, she enjoys playing tennis, fishing, hunting, surfing, baking, traveling, and hanging out with friends. Jessi’s future plans are to attend East Central University and major in nursing. Jessi is the daughter of Brandon and Stacey Bolin.
Tanaya Heath of Ada High School aims to make everyone’s day just a little bit better. She is involved in a multitude of activities and remains active in the community with over 100 hours of community service all while maintaining a part-time job. Her favorite program that she is involved in is speech. She says it has taught her so much about herself and made her truly realize the importance of our words and the effects that they have on the world. Tanaya plans on attending Oklahoma University and majoring in political science. Tanaya is the daughter of Amanda Heath and Brian Cunningham.
Adelyn Clary of Tishomingo High School is someone that is very involved, but also tries to be present in her classes. Her academics are very important to her, and she strives for the best grades. She is the drum major in the marching band, plays oboe in concert band and is the lead alto in her school choir. She also holds a seat on the student council board and is involved in FCA. Adelyn isn’t sure where she would like to attend college, but she knows that she would like to major in either history or museology. History has always been a passion of hers and she loves the idea of bringing history to the public. She is the daughter of Jason and Tara Clary.
Each year, PEC’s Youth Tour contest is open to 11th grade students enrolled in school (or homeschool) systems located in one of the 11 counties served by PEC. For more information about PEC’s Youth Tour program or other programs available at People’s Electric Cooperative, please contact Jennifer Boeck at (580) 332-3031.