Canoochee EMC 

WASHINGTON YOUTH TOUR RULES AND
IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• The contest is open to High School JUNIORS, from both public and private schools within Canoochee EMC’s service area. These schools include Bryan County High School, Claxton High School, Long County High School, Pinewood Christian Academy, Bradwell Institute and Tattnall County High School. Students not attending these schools whose parents are members of Canoochee EMC are also eligible.
• Participants must be 16 years old by June 1, 2026.
• Participants need to fill out an application and sign their commitment to participate, and then have a parent or guardian sign the authorization portion.
• Participants must submit a 500–750-word essay on one of the topic choices provided. The essay must be typed, and the student’s name should NOT appear anywhere on the essay. The application, with the student’s name and contact information, should be stapled to (included on) the front of the essay.
  • Essay Topic Options (Choose One):
    • The Washington Youth Tour is a very important leadership oriented educational journey that EMC’s have embraced for decades.  Please discuss what leadership means to you, and how you expect to utilize this trip and become a better leader?
    • Electric Vehicles were once a novelty, but now they’re becoming more common on the road.  This change brings unique challenges to transportation, as well as to utilities.  Please discuss EVs and how you think they’ll impact your future.
    • On the Washington Youth Tour you may be inspired by one of the United States’ greatest leaders, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.  He had a great impact on Rural Electrification, and thus all Electric Cooperatives like Canoochee EMC.  Please explain his influence.
• The essays will be graded by a group of non-biased retired educators. As previously stated, the student’s names will not appear on the essays, so the instructor will not know who has written the essay.
• The essays are judged on subject knowledge, originality, composition, neatness, and grammar.
• Reference material may be found in the local library or via the internet. *Be sure to cite any sources that are used for research.
• The deadline for submitting essays is February 6, 2025, and they must be submitted online through this form, sent to Joe Sikes by mail at Canoochee EMC: P.O. Box 487 - Reidsville, GA 30453, or you may bring them to the Reidsville office during regular working hours. 8-5:30 Mon-Thurs or 8-5:00 Fri.
• The winners of the essay contest will then be invited for an interview, which will be judged by non Canoochee EMC employees.
• Four winners will be chosen for the Youth Tour along with one alternate.
• After the winners are chosen, they will have their picture taken at Canoochee to be printed along with an article in the Georgia Magazine and local newspapers.
• Winners will receive a cash award before the Youth Tour.