n Highest scorers on test about electricity, the history of rural electrification and GreyStone receive free trip to nation’s capital

This summer six students from Douglas and Paulding will head to Washington, D.C. to learn about power – not just political power, but the power needed to light a nation.

Natalie Hall, Michael Lee and Jessie Edwards of Chapel Hill High School, Angela Chester of Hiram High School, Shea Hunter of Alexander High School and Barbara Gantt of Lithia Springs High School are the winners of GreyStone Power’s Washington Youth Tour, taking place June 10 – 17. GreyStone and other electric cooperatives sponsor the annual leadership event across the nation to give student leaders a close-up look at government in action and to encourage students to take leadership roles in the community.

Students from eight counties served by GreyStone competed for six GreyStone-sponsored spots on the youth tour. After weeks of studying about GreyStone and the history of rural electrification, 47 students took an exam March 23 at the Cooperative’s main office. Participants were school leaders chosen by counselors and teachers from 12 schools, including Hiram High School, Chapel Hill High School, Paulding County High School, Alexander High School, Landmark Christian School, Douglas County High School, Lithia Springs High School, South Cobb High School, Westlake High School, Arlington Christian School, East Paulding High School and Pebblebrook High School.

The six winners were announced at a banquet March 25. On May 11 the students met at GreyStone for a tour of the facilities and a chance to get to know the other winners.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing Washington,” said Ms. Hall, who had the highest score on the test. “I like traveling and this is one of the few places I haven’t been to.”

Ms. Chester, who attended the National Young Leaders Conference in Washington last February, said she was excited to go back to the nation’s capital.

“There is so much nest stuff there – I really wanted to go back,” said Ms. Chester. “I enjoyed seeing the sights and I got to meet my congressmen, but I didn’t get to spend a lot of time at places like the Library of Congress.”

The Youth Tour offers a unique blend of cultural, educational and social opportunities for students.

“These students will have the opportunity to meet and discuss their views with students from other states while learning about history, government and careers in public service,” said GreyStone Power President/CEO Gary Miller. “We’re delighted to offer this program to high school students in our area. The Washington Youth Tour allows us to expand the horizons of the best and brightest young men and women in the community.”

For Georgia students, the program begins in Atlanta with a tour of the Governor’s Mansion and time spent visiting with state officials and learning about Georgia’s electric cooperative industry at the headquarters for Georgia Electric Membership Corporation. Eighty-four Georgia students will then join more than 1,300 high school juniors from across the nation to tour the nation’s capital.

Washington highlights include attending a play at the Kennedy Center and cruising down the Potomac River. Students will also tour Arlington Cemetery, the U.S. Supreme Court, Mount Vernon, the National Cathedral, Ford’s Theater, the Smithsonian Institution and the Holocaust Museum. The group will visit memorials honoring FDR, Jefferson, Lincoln, Washington, the Vietnam War and the Korean War, and watch United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps and the Silent Drill Platoon perform during the Sunset Parade at the Iwo Jima Memorial.

GreyStone has sponsored this program for 38 years to identify and encourage future leadership in the community. GreyStone is a member-owned cooperative providing electricity and related services to portions of eight counties in west Georgia.