Washington Youth Tour
Sumter Electric Membership Corporation has selected one local high school student to represent SEMC on the 2022 Washington Youth Tour, which involves a week-long trip to Washington, D.C., to learn more about our nation’s capital. Cole Reynolds, a junior at Lee County High School, was recently selected to participate in the all-expenses-paid leadership experience by electric membership corporations in Georgia, including Sumter EMC. Cole is the son of Sumter EMC members Mike and Burnice Reynolds. His biggest passion is singing and acting. Cole is a member of the Lee County High School Drama/Chorus. Cole plans to attend Columbus State University upon graduation and majoring in musical theater and minoring in political science. Cole shared one of the many reasons he is excited about attending the Washington Youth Tour is to see the monuments in person that he has learned about in history class.
Every year, Sumter EMC recognizes outstanding high school students who are leaders in their schools, communities, places of worship, or academic and community organizations by providing a valuable leadership development program for exceptional teens through the Washington Youth Tour, established by America’s electric cooperatives to inspire and educate our youth.
In 2021, due to uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, SEMC offered a virtual Youth Tour in June, but the program returns to its original format this year in June and delegates will experience an in-person Washington Youth Tour. The trip is scheduled for June 17-23.
During the seven-day trip, Cole will visit some of the most exciting tourist spots, including Arlington National Cemetery, the Lincoln Memorial, the Smithsonian Institution, Mount Vernon and more, all while being exposed to government on a local and national level.
“We’re excited for Cole to represent Sumter EMC on the upcoming in-person 2022 Washington Youth Tour,” Andrea Walker, VP of Marketing and Administration, said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity that will allow Cole to network with fellow peers from across the state, explore our nation’s educational museums and monuments, and enhance his knowledge of our government,” said Walker.
Walter Harrison Scholarship
The Walter Harrison Scholarship program was created in 1985 in memory of Walter Harrison, a Georgia and national rural electric co-op pioneer. The statewide scholarship is funded through donations contributed by EMCs throughout Georgia and pays $1,000 to each winner. Recipients can use the scholarship at any two or four-year accredited university or college (including vocational-technical colleges) in Georgia.
Each year, Sumter EMC submits the applications of two local finalists to Georgia EMC. Georgia EMC's scholarship committee judges applications from across the state and selects the final winners. Both financial need and academic ability are used in determining winners. To be eligible, a candidate must reside in the household (primary residence) of a Sumter EMC member.
Contact Whitney Johnson at Sumter EMC, (229) 924-8041, (800) 342-6978, via email to Whitney Johnson, or click one of the links below to view the 2020 scholarship application and criteria for eligibility:
Walter Harrison Scholarship Application
Applications for 2021 must be submitted to Sumter EMC no later than January 15, 2021. Send your completed application to: Whitney Johnson, Sumter EMC, P. O. Box 1048, Americus, GA 31709. Recipients will be announced in May.
FFA Electrification Contest
Sumter EMC is proud to support (along with other Georgia EMCs) participation by local schools in the EMC/FFA Electrification Contest. The wiring contest is a competitive educational program which promotes the safe, efficient use of electrical energy.
For more information, contact Jason Hall, Energy Services Representative for Sumter EMC, or:
- Click here to visit the Georgia FFA Association website.
- Click here to view FFA photos
Young Co-op Couples Conference
Each year Sumter EMC selects a young couple from its service area to represent the Cooperative at the Young Couples Cooperative Conference which is sponsored by the Georgia Cooperative Council, Inc., the South Carolina Council of Cooperatives, and the Cooperative Council of North Carolina. The goals of this unique three-day conference are:
- To provide an opportunity for young couples to gain additional knowledge and insight in the economic and service opportunities afforded by their cooperatives.
- To provide an opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences in leadership needs in their cooperatives and in their communities.
- To provide an opportunity to make new friends.
- To find out what young couples are thinking so cooperatives can better serve their needs.
The ultimate purpose is to strengthen the relationship between cooperatives and participating couples. For more information on the conference, contact our Member Services Department or send an email to Whitney Johnson.
GHSA State Championships
Sumter EMC joins 29 EMCs across the state to announce a partnership with the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) to sponsor more than 80 state championships during the 2020-2021 season. This season marks the 20th consecutive year Georgia's EMCs have been GHSA sponsors.
Long-time supporters of a variety of programs for students, the sponsorship allows Sumter EMC to support student athletes, parents and the entire athletic community. This year's championship games will feature sports ranging from football to track, riflery to basketball. State championships also include literary competitions such as one-act plays and debate.
Plan to attend these great events and bring your family! For a complete calendar of events, visit the GHSA web site at www.ghsa.net .