Local Student Will Represent BREC in Washington D.C.
Two Lesterville High School juniors won honors in the Black River Electric Cooperative’s annual essay contest. Jadon Lanham received third place and Hannah Steward received first place. Essay finalists submitted an original essay that gave a brief history of BREC with a description of how BREC has impacted them, their family and community. Nine finalists were chosen by a selection committee based on their comprehension, composition, originality, grammar and neatness. Jadon and Hannah were two of the nine finalists that were invited for a final judging and banquet in Fredericktown where they presented their essays. Hannah was one of the three first place winners to receive an all expense paid banquet in Jefferson City on June 8 and a trip to Washington D.C. for a week. Jadon was one of the three third place winners to receive a $100 cash prize.
Black River Electric Cooperative’s Annual Youth Tour Essay Contest challenged high school juniors to learn more about their electric cooperative while competing for the “trip of a lifetime.” Students were asked to write an essay about the history of BREC and the impact it’s made to them personally and in their community. This year, BREC celebrates 80 years of powering communities and empowering members.
Nine finalists were selected from entries across the BREC system. Those finalists presented their essays to family, friends and a panel of judges April 19th at BREC’s headquarters in Fredericktown. Students were competing to win one of three, all-expenses paid trips to the Rural Electric Youth Tour in Washington, D.C., sponsored by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. BREC’s winners will join approximately 100 other winners selected by Mis
souri electric cooperatives and 1,600 delegates from across the nation for an unforgettable week of learning and fun. Three winners were also selected to attend the Cooperative Youth Conference & Leadership Experience (CYCLE) in Jefferson City, and three contestants earned a cash prize.
“All the finalists did a fabulous job presenting their essays at the banquet,” said Heather Dietiker, Communication Specialist for BREC. “It’s refreshing to see these bright young leaders making a positive difference in their schools and communities. This leadership experience allows them to do just that while learning about the cooperative difference. They are our future member-owners, and we’re honored to be represented by them in Washington D.C.”
The three high school juniors chosen to represent BREC in Washington D.C. are: Jessie Wren of Arcadia Valley R-II, Hannah Steward of Lesterville R-IV and Tate Hanners of Meadow Heights R-II. CYCLE delegates are: Allison Glass of Leopold R-III, Laurien Mahler of Southern Reynolds R-II and Molly Sikes of Fredericktown R-II. Receiving a cash prize were: Simon Elfrink of Leopold R-III, Jadon Lanham of Lesterville R-IV and Victoria Peppers of Fredericktown R-I.
