H-BC sophomore Allison LaRock will travel to Washington, D.C., June 15-20 to attend the Rural Electric Youth Tour.
The Youth Tour is a trip sponsored by Sioux Valley Energy and coordinated by South Dakota Rural Electric Association (SDREA) and Minnesota Rural Electric Association (MREA).
Chinelle Christensen, representative from Sioux Valley Energy, presented LaRock with the award Wednesday, March 6, at H-BC High School.
“I feel beyond blessed to be chosen as the SW MN EmPOWER representative, and I can’t wait for the new experiences that I will encounter in D.C.,” LaRock said.
Sioux Valley Energy will send two EmPOWER Youth students to Washington, D.C., for the Rural Electric Youth Tour in June.
LaRock will be the Minnesota representative along with another South Dakota student and 40 other students from Minnesota.
The students were selected for the awards based on an interview, essay, volunteer hours and attendance at EmPOWER events.
While in Washington, the students will meet with the state’s congressional delegation, visit historical sites and meet 1,500 teens from cooperatives across the United States.
“Sioux Valley Energy realizes it is more vital than ever that today’s young people understand and support the rural electrification program, for they are tomorrow’s leaders and consumers,” said Chinelle Christensen of the EmPOWER program.
Sioux Valley Energy will provide funding for the trip to include all transportation costs, lodging, meals and entrance fees to sightseeing or entertainment events. The students will be responsible for anything beyond those items such as snacks and souvenirs.
Some of the sites they will visit include the Lincoln Memorial, Washington National Cathedral, the Air and Space Museum, Washington Monument, Arlington Cemetery and more.
Sioux Valley Energy’s EmPOWER Youth program teaches students about the cooperative business model; provides training on career success; helps students build self-confidence; and gives them hands-on experience with leadership.
More than 200 area high school students have participated and more than $20,000 in scholarships have been awarded since the program’s inception in 2014.
Each year the program is planned by the EmPOWER Board of Directors, which is made up of students from the previous year. They serve as student leaders and mentors to current EmPOWER participants. The core of the program is four sessions that occur during the school year. Students can earn points by attending sessions and volunteerism. Those points help them earn scholarships and travel opportunities.
The core of the program is four daylong sessions throughout the school year, which include interactive workshops and motivational speakers.
To be eligible for the EmPOWER Youth Leadership program, an applicant must be a high school sophomore or junior during the next school year (so freshman may apply for the next year).
Contact Christensen with questions at 1-800-234-1960 or email chinelle.christen@siouxvalleyenergy.com.