MARCH 31,2005

Students earn trip to Washington, D.C.

n Highest scorers on test about electricity, the history of rural electrification and GreyStone receive free trip to nation’s capital June 16 – 23

Six local students have earned the right to participate in Georgia’s 40^th annual Washington Youth Tour, an all-expense paid leadership experience sponsored by GreyStone Power Corporation.  

After studying rural electrification and GreyStone’s history, and scoring one of the highest six scores on a test administered at GreyStone, Matthew Gravett of Paulding County, Nazish Mithaiwala of Westlake, Patrick Eisenmann of Douglas County and Cassandra Pryor, Shane Harrison and Chris Wiggins of Lithia Springs High Schools will travel to Atlanta and Washington, D.C. with 92 other Georgia high school students to learn about U.S. history, government and careers in public service. There they will meet with approximately 1,400 youth leaders participating in the program, representing the nation’s 1,000 electric membership cooperatives.

This year’s tour, which takes place June 16-23, exposes students to the fast-paced world of politics, leadership and agenda-setting.  Each year the Washington Youth Tour challenges teens to consider the part they play in history, government and the cooperative movement, encourages them to become involved citizens, and prompts them to consider careers in public service.

“We’re delighted with the students who will be attending this year,” says Gary Miller, GreyStone President/CEO.  “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that will change their lives and widen their horizons. GreyStone’s Board of Directors wholeheartedly support the Youth Tour program. GreyStone sends the largest number of delegates to Washington of any cooperative in Georgia.”

The teen-delegates will explore government on a local and national level, gathering in Atlanta before departing for Washington. In Atlanta, the group will tour the Governor’s Mansion and CNN studios, meet with legislative representatives, participate in leadership activities and learn about Georgia’s electric cooperative industry at the Georgia Electric Membership headquarters in Tucker.

When the group arrives in the nation’s capital, Georgia’s delegation will convene with more than 1,400 youth representing cooperatives across the nation.  The delegates will have the opportunity to mingle with peers from other states and exchange views concerning local and national issues.

During their stay, students will attend a Supreme Court lecture, a Georgia Congressional Delegation luncheon and a congressional session.  The group will also visit many of the nation’s historical monuments and museums, such as the newly opened Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, the Holocaust Museum, Arlington Cemetery and the WWII, Vietnam War, FDR, Lincoln, and Jefferson memorials.

Since 1965, the Washington Youth Tour has given more than 1,750 students in Georgia and 40,000 students nationwide the opportunity to take part in this once-in-a-lifetime experience.  The program was initially implemented at the request of President Lyndon Johnson to “send youngsters to the nation’s capital where they can actually see what the flag stands for and represents.”