Local Students Sponsored by Blue Ridge Electric for Youth Tour
For Immediate Release
Contact: Renee Whitener, Director of Corporate Communications, Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation, (828) 758-2383 ext. 3213; Pager:1-800-471-1323; or E-mail: Renee Whitener
Lenoir, North Carolina (July 21, 2004) – As part of its commitment to local communities, Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation recently sponsored nine area students to attend two annual leadership development opportunities.
Three rising seniors from Blue Ridge Electric’s service area attended the Washington Youth Tour organized by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). The seniors joined 1,400 other Youth Tour winners from high schools all across the nation for a tour of our nation’s capital. Here, they saw historic sites, learned about rural electrification, met elected officials, and witnessed our government in action. Featured speakers for the Tour were Glenn English, NRECA chief executive officer, and Hilda Legg, Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service, who both encouraged the students to "get involved and make a difference." Keynote speaker, Mike Schlappi, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in men's wheelchair basketball, said that no matter what adversity life may throw at you, you have it within yourself to overcome that obstacle. Mike's message of "if you can't stand up, stand out" touched the heart of each and everyone in attendance.
This year’s Youth Tour winners from Blue Ridge Electric were: Brittany Carico, who attends Alleghany High School and is the daughter of Glenn and Roberta Carico; Staci Phipps, who attends Ashe County High School and is the daughter of Mark Phipps and Tammy Hartsoe; and Paisley Holloway, who attends Hibriten High School and is the daughter of Mark Holloway and Remona Teague-Dula.
Phipps also won a $2,000 college scholarship as she was selected the Youth Leadership Award winner out of all the North Carolina youth tourists. Staci will represent Blue Ridge Electric and all North Carolina cooperatives at several national cooperative events for the next 12 months.
Blue Ridge Electric also sponsored six local students to attend the annual week-long Broyhill Leadership Camp at Belmont Abby College. Broyhill Leadership Camp is a youth leadership development program attended by more than 20,000 students from across the nation since 1982. Recipients participate in activities designed to build skills in leadership, goal setting, communication, and motivation. The program is open to students in 10th grade and above who are interested in personal development and leadership training. The camp is named for and inspired by the Paul Broyhill family, who has a special interest in the development of youth.
Recipients from Blue Ridge Electric this year were: Erin Holcomb, who attends Alleghany High School and is the daughter of Van and Beth Holcomb; Courtney Miller, who attends Alleghany High School and is the daughter of Steve and Belva Miller; Becca Hash, who attends Alleghany High School and is the daughter of Larry and Nancy Hash; Emma Savely, who attends Ashe County High School and is the daughter of Jimmy and Betsy Savely; Nikki Tester, who attends Hibriten High School and is the daughter of Mark and Windy Tester, and Danielle Jones, who attends Hibriten High School and is daughter of Maurice and Tonya Jones.
For more information about Youth Tour or Broyhill Leadership Camp opportunities, visit www.BlueRidgeEMC.com or contact your local Blue Ridge Electric office.
