September 2006
33
Middle Georgia EMC Newsletter
Member Newsletter
Middle Georgia
Middle Georgia
The Official Newsletter of Middle Georgia Electric Membership Corporation
(From left) Zack Hamsley of
Hawkinsville, Andrew Langston of
Byromville and Ketan Patel of
Unadilla represented Middle Georgia
Electric Membership Corp. on the
2006 Washington Youth Tour.
The 2006 Washington
Youth Tour--what is it?
The 2006 Washington
Youth Tour--what is it?
Left: Stephanie Richards
of Kennesaw, Claire
Underwood of Marietta and
Jessica Whitaker of Marietta
pose in front of the Capitol. Above: (Left to right) Mary
Warthen of Sandersville, Marek Fikejz of Braselton and
Laura Beth Bruster of Cornelia spend a sunny day tour-
ing the nation's capital.
All the Georgia Washington Youth
Tour delegates were honored to
pose with both U.S. Sens. Johnny
Isakson, lower right, and Saxby
Chambliss, a few steps above.
September 2006
P.O. Box 190,Vienna, GA 31092
hey came from all over
Georgia--99 high
school students nominated
by 36 of Georgia's electric
cooperatives to represent
them on the 2006
Washington Youth Tour,
June 8-15. This lucky group was able
to experience Georgia's 41st annual,
weeklong, all-expenses-paid journey
to Atlanta, the Little White House and
the nation's capital.
Inspired in 1957 by then Sen.
Lyndon Johnson, the Washington
Youth Tour (WYT) has continued to
enlighten thousands of students from
all over the nation. This year,
Georgia's delegates joined
more than 1,400 other
future leaders from across
the country to participate in
this exceptional program--
now numbering 40,000
delegates since the national
tour began in 1964.
The week is spent meeting
political figures, learning history and
making new friends. Delegates visit
national monuments such as the
Lincoln, FDR and Jefferson memori-
als, and stand in awe at the Smith-
sonian Institution and Arlington
National Cemetery. But these dele-
gates take away something much
T
deeper than that--a sense of
living history and learning the
leadership qualities to help
them in their future endeavors.
What the delegates say about:
D
ANIEL PECK STUDIOS
How the tour impacted their
long-term goals:
Claire Underwood (Cobb EMC,
Marietta): When I saw the great things past
leaders of our nation have accomplished by fol-
lowing their dreams, I realized I can do anything
I set my mind to, as long as I never give up.
Jordan Weathers (Carroll EMC,
Carrollton): It will reignite the fire within me
to always strive to make a difference!
Amanda Pennington (GEMC/Jefferson
Energy, Wrens): The tour has really inspired me
to do all I want to do and to chase my dreams,
even if I am scared. In the words of Congressman
John Lewis: "I want to get in the way and
get in trouble."
D
ANIEL PECK STUDIOS
34
GEORGIA MAGAZINE
Brooke Hillis (Planters EMC, Millen): I've
seen what great leaders were here before me
and I've seen what footsteps I have to follow.
Melanie Cox (Flint Energies, Reynolds): It
made me realize that as a Christian, I should
stand up for my beliefs as often as possible.
Kaitlyn Odell (Canoochee EMC, Reids-
ville): With a better understanding of my
government I can become a person who
thoroughly appreciates my freedom and my
individuality.
The most memorable stop
on the trip?
Emily Marshall (Southern Rivers Energy,
Barnesville): When I was standing in the
Capitol it hit me that I was in, quite possibly,
the most powerful building in the world.
Megan Griswell (Jefferson Energy): The
National Archives were so impressive. It was
surreal to see the documents that have shaped
our nation.
Ryan McDonald (Altamaha EMC,
Lyons): I was most amazed at the Capitol,
where I was allowed to be in the same room
that the founders of our nation were in more
than 200 years ago.
Will Geeslin (GreyStone Power, Douglas-
ville): Seeing the World War II Memorial at
sunset was awesome. I am very thankful.
Alicia Meng of Ochlocknee,Tiffany Herman of
Hawkinsville, Ja-Lisa Walden of Dublin and Brittany
White of Milner were honored to present the wreath
at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
("What the delegates say," continued
from page 33)
First stop:
The Little White House
This year, the Washington Youth Tour del-
egates took a detour to Warm Springs before
embarking on their journey to D.C. They vis-
ited the Little White House, the Georgia
home of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
During the Great Depression, Roosevelt
instituted the Rural Electric Administration
(REA), based on his experiences in the
unelectrified rural areas.
"I was amazed to see the place where
rural electrification began, thus making this
entire trip possible," says delegate Alyssa
Johns from Ocmulgee EMC in Eastman.
--Charlie Durden
A chaperone's
monumental memories
BY BYRON MCCOMBS
As Washington Youth Tour
coordinator for Blue Ridge
Mountain EMC in Young Harris,
I've had the pleasure of participat-
ing the past four years on the
"Atlanta leg" of the trip.
This year I was blessed, along
with my wife, Diane, to experience
the entire tour. As someone who
enjoys working with young people
and studying American history, the
trip was rewarding indeed.
Nothing quite stirs my soul like
standing by the monuments or
amid the countless crosses at
Arlington National Cemetery,
reflecting on the sacrifices made by
our fellow Americans. How diffi-
cult to fathom the price paid by
our founding fathers and those
who followed as they fought to
protect our freedoms.
Wonderful as the sights are in
Washington, they cannot compare
to seeing the impact the trip has
on the delegates. Watching, listen-
ing and interacting with them was
the highlight of the tour for me--
how rewarding to have the oppor-
tunity to encourage and provide a
positive influence in a young per-
son's life.
`The Washington
Youth Tour
has taught me to
dream big.'
--Alicia Meng, Grady EMC
Diane and Byron McCombs
BYR
ON McCOMBS
(Left to right) Ketan Patel of Unadilla,
Andrew Langston of Byromville, Court-
ney Werkheiser of Glennville and Kaitlyn
Odell of Claxton learn about the birth of
rural electricity at the Little White
House Museum.
Middle Georgia EMC Newsletter
(Left to right) Brittany Knight
of Dublin, Laura Ashley
Galbraith of Dublin and
Ashleigh Gainer of Hazlehurst
pose in front of the Vietnam
Veterans Memorial.
Their views on leadership?
Brittany White (Southern Rivers Energy):
I have learned that to be a great leader, I must
be a great follower, and in doing so, learn to
be patient and understanding.
Dale Rigdon (Altamaha EMC): It showed
me that leaders come in all shapes and sizes
from a myriad of backgrounds. The one com-
mon thread linking them all is the burning desire
to serve.
Jessica Whitaker (Cobb EMC): I came
to understand that leadership is strength, com-
passion, patience, diligence, prudence and the
constant pursuit of knowledge.
Jeremiah Redman (Central Georgia
EMC, Jackson): Stand out, be heard and
wear a smile!
Kate Macedo (Coastal Electric, Midway):
It helps me see that our country needs to have
leaders such as the delegates to eventually step
up and run our government.
What led them to apply for
the tour?
Alicia Raines (Satilla REMC, Alma): It was
an awesome opportunity to meet our country's
current leaders.
Krizia Diya (GreyStone Power): As the
child of two immigrants to America, I applied
for the tour to partake of the "American
Dream," which consisted of building my own
prosperity and loving the country that granted it.
Daniel Armstrong
(Sawnee EMC, Cumming):
I looked forward to learning
more about our heritage,
history and the honor to
represent Sawnee EMC to
the rest of the country.
What would they tell future
delegates?
Melissa Murray (GEMC/Little Ocmulgee
EMC, Alamo): It is the best and most magnifi-
cent thing you could do in high school that you
won't forget.
Alicia Meng (Grady EMC, Cairo): Keep
your eyes open, don't pass up any opportunity
and have fun. This trip will only happen once,
so make the best of it.
Brooke Butler (Rayle EMC, Washington):
Warning! This could change your life!
Jordan Weathers (Carroll EMC): This
trip will not only open your eyes and mind, but
it will also open many doors for your future.
Dusty Brown of Carrollton and Willie
Jeter of Hinesville perform a team-build-
ing exercise.
At right: (From
left) Sarvesh
Garimella of
Athens, Molly
Newsome of
Washington, Jasmin
Gonzalez of Blairsville,Will Gay of Lincolnton and Ebonie Skelton of
Thomson meet with their state representative, Charlie Norwood of Augusta.
Georgia's delegates enjoy a
riverboat cruise on the
Potomac River.
www.youthtour.coop
(Left to right) Sarah Parker of Hartwell,
Lyndsey Peterson of Dacula, Christy
Seerley of Hartwell and Melissa McGill of
Tifton enjoy their visit to Mount Vernon.
`Georgia's Youth Tour
delegates provide
real promise for
our future.'
--Thatcher Young, market research
coordinator, Georgia EMC
D
ANIEL PECK STUDIOS
36
GEORGIA MAGAZINE
Looking back
BY CHARLIE DURDEN
In June 2001,
I was a delgate on
the WYT, and the
week spent in
Washington, D.C.,
changed my per-
spective on the
world.
After viewing
the nation's capital,
seeing the memori-
als in the rain, vis-
iting the Holocaust Museum and
listening to state Rep. Brooks
Coleman, I discovered what it
means to be an American.
These experiences taught me
the importance of communications
and led me to seek a degree in that
field. I had the opportunity to intern
for GEORGIA Magazine this
summer at Georgia Electric
Membership Corp. in
Tucker where I was able to
be part of the WYT excite-
ment again. It was great to
see the enthusiasm on the
delegates' faces and to
know that they were about
to embark on the same jour-
ney I experienced.
Charlie, a Sandersville
native, is a senior at
Valdosta State University.
P A S T D E L E G A T E S
Charlie Durden
(WYT 2001) rep-
resented Wash-
ington EMC in
Sandersville.
Gov. Sonny
Perdue con-
gratulates Colt
McDaniel on
his piano per-
formance.
Ken Mehlman, chairman of the Republican
National Committee, poses with 2005
WYT delegate Kailey Dees.
My D.C. internship
BY KAILEY DEES
A year has passed since my
WYT experience; however, the
motivation sparked by the trip is
still alive!
By having the opportunity to
represent Lyons-based Altamaha
EMC on the 2005 trip, I gained a
greater insight on the history of our
nation's capital. This past summer, I
interned for the Republican National
Committee, working in the Com-
munications Department for the
deputy press secretary.
Each morning as I strolled past
the Capitol, I recognized I was in
the most powerful capital of the
free world.
The most important thing I
learned was--you do not have to
be a "city" girl to make a difference;
it is the desire and motivation that
places an individual on top. I know
now that the opportunity is out
there, for city people and country
folks alike.
Kailey Dees, who lives near
Vidalia, is a business major at the
University of Georgia.
A White House summer
BY REBECCA GAAL
Thousands of students flock to
Washington, D.C., each year seeking
internships and hoping for an inside
view of American politics. This past
summer, I had the opportunity to
intern at the White House.
The 2004 WYT allowed me to
visit museums and monuments. It
further exposed me to Washington
by providing opportunities to meet
my senators as well as representa-
tives on Capitol Hill.
But one week in Washington
was not enough. So, two years
later, I returned as an intern for 14
weeks, working in the Office of
Presidential Correspondence. I
attended Marine One departures,
volunteered for the ceremonial
arrival of
Japanese
Prime Minister
Junichiro
Koizumi and
celebrated our
nation's Inde-
pendence Day
by watching
fireworks from the South Lawn.
Through cultivating friendships
with students from all over the
country and by experiencing
American politics firsthand, I saw
Washington, D.C., at its finest.
Rebecca Gaal, from Cumming,
is an English major/political science
minor at Bob Jones University in
Greenville, S.C.
At the Governor's
Mansion
Colt McDaniel, a Reinhardt
College piano major from Talking
Rock, was a 2004 WYT delegate
from Jasper-based Amicalola EMC.
The tour that
year began
with a visit to
the Georgia
Governor's
Mansion,
where Colt
expressed interest in playing the
100-year-old Steinway grand piano
in the ballroom.
Then in January 2006, Colt
received a call from the governor's
office inviting him to play the piano
for a black-tie dinner honoring the
Georgia General Assembly. It didn't
take long for him to reply!
Colt has had a dream to one
day play for the president of the
United States. He considers the
Governor's Mansion to be one step
closer to that goal.
Rebecca Gaal
Middle Georgia EMC Newsletter