DEFUNIAK SPRINGS — Choctawhatchee Electrical Cooperative has selected six area high school juniors to participate in the 2016 Youth Tour in Washington, D.C.
Selected for the June trip were Andi VonHilsheimer, Niceville High School; Logan Rickmon, Baker School; and Ryan Lechner and Martha Freeman, Freeport High School. Sarah Wright from South Walton High School and Jodie Welch from Baker School will serve as alternates. The winners were announced Wednesday evening at a banquet at Freeport High School.
“We always have amazing students selected to participate in CHELCO’s Youth Tour program. This year was no exception. It is the highlight of my year to get to know the students. The talent in the young people of our community will blow you away,” said Youth Tour Coordinator Bonnie Whitfield.
The first part of the experience involved a two-day trip to Tallahassee for 17 outstanding students — selected by their schools — from across CHELCO’s service territory. They attended and participated in a mock trial and Senate hearing, as well as touring the capitol building. They also learned about electric cooperatives.
After the Tallahassee trip, the same students participated in a local competition where judges interviewed them prior to selecting the four students and alternates. The tour is organized by the National Rural Electric Cooperatives Association.
Once in Washington students will join about 1,500 other Youth Tour representatives from across the country and spend one week learning about government, history and the role of cooperatives.
CHELCO is a not-for-profit electric distribution cooperative serving more than 48,000 members in Walton, Okaloosa, Holmes and Santa Rosa counties.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker students among CHELCO's 2016 youth tour winners