More than a trip
--
The 2007 Washington Youth Tour
is a leadership experience.
Delegates learn about the
electric cooperative move-
ment, American history and
how government works.
They meet with their repre-
sentatives in the House and
Senate, participate in National Youth
Day and enjoy the sights of D.C.
Delegates visit national monu-
ments such as the Jefferson, Lincoln
and FDR memorials, where they can
consider the words of leaders who
helped define and uphold our
nation's guiding principles. At the
Smithsonian Institution, they discover
and explore art, science,
nature and America's
culture and history. And
at the World War II,
Korean War Veterans
and Vietnam Veterans
memorials, as well as
Arlington National
Cemetery, they learn the
true price of freedom.
This year's delegates had the rare opportunity to meet both of
Georgia's U.S. senators, Johnny Isakson, front row, far right, and
Saxby Chambliss, second row, far right.
Day 1:
Kickoff banquet in Atlanta with guest speaker
Rep. Brooks P. Coleman, chairman of the Georgia House
Education Committee
Day 2:
Visit to Franklin D. Roosevelt's (FDR's) Little
White House in Warm Springs; team-building exercises at
4-H Camp Fortson; flight to Washington, D.C.
Day 3:
Visit to Hard Rock Cafe, the Smithsonian muse-
The 2007 itinerary, June 7-14
D
ANIEL PECK STUDIOS
September 2007
33
Middle Georgia EMC Newsletter
Member Newsletter
Middle Georgia
Middle Georgia
The Official Newsletter of Middle Georgia Electric Membership Corporation
P.O. Box 190, Vienna, GA 31092
September 2007
From left to right: Chester Jackson and
Logan Wright, both of Hawkinsville, and
Lauren Cravey of Cordele are this year's
Washington Youth Tour delegates from
Middle Georgia EMC.
D
ANIEL PECK STUDIOS
Since 1964, electric cooperatives
nationwide have sent more than
40,000 student delegates on the WYT,
providing them with the opportunity
to develop their leadership abilities
for the benefit of themselves, their
communities and the hope of a bet-
ter tomorrow. Today, WYT alumni,
prospective participants and other
interested parties can visit the Youth
Tour Web site, www.youthtour.coop,
to see the week's activities, learn
about its history or reconnect with
fellow WYT alumni.
ums and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum;
dinner at Union Station; guided tour of the World War II,
FDR and Jefferson memorials
Day 4:
Guided tour of Arlington National Cemetery and
wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown
Soldier, as well as the Korean War, Vietnam and Lincoln
memorials; visit to the Washington Monument for views
of the city; attend the play "Fiddler on the Roof"
Day 5:
NRECA All States Youth Day Program; tour
Mount Vernon; view the Declaration of Independence,
Bill of Rights and the Constitution at the National
Archives; sunset cruise on the Potomac River
Day 6:
Photos at the White House; visit the United
States Supreme Court; tour the National Cathedral
Day 7:
"Hill Day" meeting with Georgia's senators
and representatives; tour the Capitol; take press pho-
tos; attend the all-states farewell dinner/dance
Day 8:
Flight back to Atlanta
ach June, the journey
begins in Georgia.
This year, 102 high
school students from
across Georgia represent-
ed 37 electric coopera-
tives on a weeklong, all-
expenses-paid trip to Atlanta, the
Little White House in Warm Springs
and the nation's capital. Arriving in
Washington, D.C., they joined 1,497
student delegates representing elec-
tric cooperatives from 44 other
states on the 2007 Washington
Youth Tour (WYT), June 7-14.
The WYT is not just a trip; it
E
2
GEORGIA MAGAZINE
How it affected their views on
leadership:
Raynette Palmer
(Coastal Electric
Cooperative, Midway): It has inspired me
to become a leader in my community
and at home. Being around great people
makes me want to do great things.
Logan Wright
(Middle Georgia EMC):
This experience has taught me that to
become a leader all you have to do is
step up and become one.
John Long
(Coweta-Fayette EMC,
Palmetto): I realized that true character
is required to be a true leader.
Emily Gober
(Washington EMC,
Sandersville): Now I really understand
what it takes to be a leader: passion, care
and patience.
Logan Wright (left) and Laura Cravey
(far right) take time out from team-
building exercises with new friends.
Delegates strike a pose at the Vietnam Women's Memorial, honoring the
nurses who served during the
Vietnam War.
www.youthtour.coop
BYR
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What the delegates say about:
The most memorable stop:
Katherine Shelley
(Amicalola EMC,
Jasper): Washington National Cathedral.
The meaning behind the architecture
and stained-glass windows produced
a holy presence that could be felt
regardless of religion.
Caroline Wright
(Colquitt EMC,
Moultrie): United States Holocaust
Memorial Museum. I have been forever
changed by the graphic images and
honest portrayal of the sufferings of
these innocent people. I will do every-
thing in my power ... to ensure it never
happens again to any group of people.
Chester Jackson
(Middle Georgia
EMC, Vienna): The Arlington National
Cemetery. If it wasn't for the men and
women who risk their lives every day,
we wouldn't be able to have the
opportunities we take for granted.
Cornelius Daniel
(Central Georgia EMC,
Jackson): The congressional delegation
meeting. The speech given by Rep.
John Lewis was empowering and moti-
vating. It forced me to challenge myself
to accomplish greater things.
Amy Boland
(Rayle EMC, Washington):
Arlington National Cemetery. I loved it.
It was a place to be thankful for the
freedom we have.
`It taught me that leadership is
more than being able to speak
up and defend your opinions.
It is about being responsible,
having empathy, charging into
the unknown.'
--Becca Holcomb,
Flint Energies, Reynolds
Chester Jackson balancing on the ropes
course at Camp Fortson in Hampton.Team-
building exercises helped break the ice for
delegates before they headed to D.C.
CHIPPER JONES
34
CHIPPER JONES
CHIPPER JONES
Logan Wright and team perform a rope
exercise.
CHIPPER JONES
Lauren and Chester take a break from
the rock climbing wall.
Delegates' sights
set high
This year's Washington Youth Tour, June
7-14, challenged teens to think about what to
do with their lives. Look what they've set their
sights on!
Canoochee EMC's
Katelyn Tarver, a top-10
finalist on "American Juniors" in 2003, is on her
way to becoming a professional singer and
performer.
Carroll EMC's
Honey Duncan organizes fund-
raisers for families with medical bills. Her goal
is to pursue a degree in mass communications.
Central Georgia EMC's
Cornelius Daniel hopes
to be appointed to the Air Force or U.S. Naval
Academy. His ultimate goal is to be an astro-
naut.
Coastal Electric's
Ashley Huerd visits senior
citizens, hopes to attend medical school and
plans to become a trauma specialist.
Irwin EMC's
Amanda Roberts shows livestock
and plans to pursue a degree in veterinary
medicine.
Oconee EMC's
Crystal Hardy wants to major
in communication disorders at Valdosta State
University in Valdosta to prepare for a career
as speech/language pathologist.
Upson EMC's
Lexi SantaRomana volunteers
for local chamber events and works at a law
office. She plans to study aeronautical engi-
neering at Georgia Tech in Atlanta.
Angela Yearwood
(Rayle EMC): This trip
helped me realize that you don't have
to stand up to stand out. You can be a
leader even when you don't realize it.
What they would tell future
delegates:
Becca Holcomb
(Flint Energies,
Reynolds): Sleep whenever you can
(waiting in line, on the bus, etc.)! This
trip is an adventure of a lifetime and
will change you forever.
Davison Hogan
(Planters EMC, Millen):
Don't be afraid to meet new people or
to try different things. Only when you
do this, you will truly enjoy being with
others on this trip.
Ronna Rowland
(Satilla REMC, Alma):
Step outside of your comfort zone!
There are so many great experiences
ahead, but you have to be open-
minded and excited to enjoy them.
Letters of appreciation:
Will Kline
(Cobb EMC, Marietta):
Not only has the trip changed how
I view our government in Washington,
but also it really expanded my view
of Georgia.
Jimmy Jia
(Walton EMC, Monroe): I
would like to thank all the chaperones
and everyone who make this tour pos-
sible. It was the best week of my life so
far. The tour was incredible, and even if
we are far away in our own niches and
lives, we are all forever bonded togeth-
er by the overflowing warmth of friend-
ship acquired on this tour.
Lauren with
chaperones
Tonya and
Chipper Jones.
Delegates take a break after a tour of George Washington's home at Mount Vernon.
Logan, Chester and Lauren at the White
House.
CHIPPER JONES
BYR
ON MCCOMBS
BYR
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35
September 2007
Middle Georgia EMC Newsletter
CHIPPER JONES
Reflections from WYT chaperones
BY CHIPPER AND TONYA JONES
We both were very honored to
be chosen as chaperones on this
year's Washington Youth Tour. The
trip was a very rewarding experi-
ence, not only because we had the
opportunity to visit our nation's
capital, but also we enjoyed seeing the
students absorb every minute of this
trip with such enthusiasm.
We both feel very strongly that the
EMCs across our nation have invested
themselves wisely into the life-chang-
ing experiences for anyone who par-
ticipates in one of these trips.
We would especially like to thank
Middle Georgia EMC for allowing us to
represent them as chaperones.
36
GEORGIA MAGAZINE
P A S T D E L E G A T E S
A sense of
pride
Georgia Rep. Terry
England (Jackson
EMC, 1983)
Georgia Rep.
Terry England, 40,
went on the
Washington Youth
Tour in 1983, and it opened his eyes
beyond the scope of things he had
previously experienced growing up
in the small town of Winder.
"It showed me that the world
was a lot bigger than Winder! It
helped me see the problems we
were having on a local level were
nationwide in many instances."
The one thing that impressed
England the most while on the tour,
was the breakfast he had in the U.S.
Capitol building with Sen. Sam Nunn.
"I have always viewed him as
being a leader before his time in
many ways, and while he was one
of the most powerful people in
Washington, he still took time to
come eat with a group of high
school kids from back home," says
England.
When he first visited the U.S.
Capitol, England felt awed. And
more than 20 years later, he feels
the same. "I don't go back there ever
without thinking about my Youth
Tour trip and the things I learned,
and the sense of pride I gained in
and for our country."
England's deep feeling of patri-
otism occurred at the Tomb of the
`Georgia's best'
Lauren Dees (Planters EMC, 2003)
Lauren Dees of
Sylvania treasures
her Washington
Youth Tour trip. "I
was honored to be
among `Georgia's
Best,' as they
referred to our dele-
gation," she says.
Lauren was
inspired by the
interns who worked on Capitol Hill.
"How I wanted to be in their shoes!"
Now, she is one of those
interns. The College of Agricultural
and Environmental Sciences at the
University of Georgia in Athens
selected Lauren for one of their sum-
mer Congressional Ag Fellowships.
Georgia's EMCs are a proud co-
sponsor of this outstanding youth
development program as well. She
was apprehensive about "leaving
sweet tea and redeye gravy behind,"
Unknown Soldier. "To stand
there and have the gravity of
what these men died for come
down on you is overwhelm-
ing. You realize who the real
patriots are--the men and wo-
men who have defended our
country for more than 200
years," he says.
For England, the Washington
Youth Tour opened doors he never
knew existed.
but on her first day of work, she felt
welcomed.
"Being an Ag Fellow during the
crafting of the farm bill has been
exciting," she says, "and when it's
passed, I'll know that I was an active
participant in the process."
Serving America
Angela Chester Benson (GreyStone
Power, 2004)
Angela Benson of
Hanahan, S.C., says
the Arlington National
Cemetery left her
most in awe, and the
United States
Holocaust Memorial
Museum left her
deeply saddened.
She says the
Washington Youth Tour exposes
young people to how "plain cool"
America and her leaders, and even
common soldiers, are. "It is an excel-
lent opportunity to be inspired to
greatness by the examples of others."
Standing in front of the Vietnam
Veterans Memorial, Angela realized
the possibility of serving her coun-
try--and she acted.
Angela is currently stationed at
the Naval Weapons Station in
Charleston, S.C. She's in the final
phase of her training and awaiting
orders to be stationed on an aircraft
carrier.
--Nanette Thorsen-Snipes
Rep.Terry England
Lauren Dees
Angela Benson
P A S T D E L E G A T E S
(From left to right): Chaperones
Diane and Byron McCombs with
Tonya and Chipper Jones.