2022 Washington Youth Tour Writing Contest Winners

Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative has sponsored the Washington Youth Tour short story writing contest for high school juniors for over 50 years. Each year high school juniors in each of the seven high schools in our service area are given the opportunity to participate. The contest is aimed at teaching students/ future members and leaders of the important role electric cooperatives play in their rural communities and the benefits of being a member.

However, SVEC can’t do it alone; it is a cooperative effort. The principals who allow us to conduct the contest in their schools, the teachers who make time in their busy schedules for the presentations and for grading and selecting the finalists, the parents who encourage their children to participate, and the volunteer judges who take time to read and score the finalist’s papers are all an integral part of making this opportunity available annually for the students from each of our public high schools.

 

First, second, and third place winners were named from each of the seven high schools in our service area. The winners of the 2021 Washington Youth Tour Writing Contest are:

       

 

Bledsoe County High School: John Loyd, first place; Icarus Watts, second; and Kelsey

Slatton, third.

Grundy County High School: Azzy Mathews, first place; Caleb Swanson, second place; and Hallie Brawley,

third place.

Sequatchie County High School: Riley Bickford, first place; Brylee Johnson, second place;

and Billy Ray Gray third place.

Marion County High School: Reghan Beck, first place; Layne Oehlson, second place; and

Cecilia Davis, third place.

South Pittsburg High School: Kayla Green, first place; Katlyn Green, second place; and

Daycia Mabry, third place

Richard Harding Memorial School: Wyatt Hulvey, first place; Madison Griffin, second

place; and Annie Cox, third place

Whitwell High School: Chance Littleton, first place; Grace White second place; and

Chloe Gholston, third place.

We are happy to say that this year we will be able to bring back a bit of normalcy to our Washington D.C. Youth Tour Writing Contest by taking some student winners on the Washington D.C. Youth Tour Trip. However, there are still Covid-19 restrictions in place and spots are limited. One first place winner from each of the four counties will receive an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. as a participant in the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association's Washington Youth Tour.

 

The remaining three winners will receive a $1,000 scholarship. If one of the 4 chosen delegates declines the trip, it will go the next school winner in line. The students who will participate in the week-long Youth Tour to Washington, D.C., June 17-23 will be John Loyd, Azzy Mathews, Kayla Green, and Chance Littleton.

 

Each 2nd place winner will receive a $250 cash prize, and 3rd place winners will receive a $100 cash prize.

 

From Whitwell High School Chance Littleton’s Story was be selected from the seven first-place stories to be entered in the state-wide contest. The awards at the state level are college scholarships - $3000 for 1st, $2000 for 2nd and $1000 for 3rd. Delegates who stay engaged and active with their local co-op in the year following the Youth Tour have a chance to win a $10,000 scholarship to the college or trade school of their choice.

 

We at SVEC wish to thank all those involved in this program which prepares our future members, employees, and leaders for the challenges that lie ahead for electric utility industry. It is a program that is helping to build a brighter Tennessee. Congratulations to the 2022 winners!