Shae Carter
Daughter of Kevin & Sarah Carter, Fort Pierre

Bailey Heninger
Daughter of Donnie & Teri Heninger, Fort Pierre

Dana Lien
Daughter of Stan Lien, Presho

Kia Miller
Daughter of Kenneth & Carmen Miller, Draper

Washington, DC Trip:
Once a year West Central Electric sponsors one to four high school juniors on an all-expense paid trip to Washington, DC. Each June, more than 1,200 high school juniors and seniors travel to Washington, DC, to participate in the Rural Electric Youth Tour. During the week, they learn about Washington, DC, government, cooperative philosophy and rural electrification. The students are selected and sponsored by their local rural electric cooperatives. The South Dakota Rural Electric Association (SDREA) coordinates arrangements for the South Dakota students. Among the sites that are toured are: Lincoln Memorial, National Cathedral, the White House, Air and Space Museum, Washington Monument, U.S. Capitol, Ford’s Theater, Kennedy Center, the Metro, Arlington National Cemetery, Mount Vernon, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, The Smithsonian, Iwo Jima Statue, National Archives, U.S. Supreme Court and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Students will also participate in a breakfast briefing with the South Dakota Congressional delegation.

Who is eligible?
All area high school juniors whose parents or guardians are members of West Central Electric are eligible to apply.

What does it cost?
West Central Electric, along with other rural electric cooperatives participating in this event, funds the tour. The funding of the tour provides for each participant’s transportation, room and board, entertainment and sight-seeing events. Students are required to provide their own personal spending money (snacks and souvenirs).

When is it held?
The weeklong trip is held in June. Participants meet for an orientation meeting on the first day in Sioux Falls. The group will fly to Washington, DC on the first day and return to South Dakota in the afternoon of the last day. A commercial bus will be used for transportation while in Washington, DC.

How do I qualify?

Each entrant must submit an essay, not to exceed 500 words, on the subject of "Why I Want to Participate in the Washington Youth Tour." All essays must be typed and include a cover sheet which states the title of the essay, the entrant’s name and the name of their school. Applications may be picked up from your local guidance counselor or from West Central Electric. All applications and essays must be received by West Central Electric on or before the deadline date.

Scholarships

Each year West Central supports continuing education for area students by offering several scholarships to high school seniors who are dependents of cooperative members.

In 2010 West Central Electric presented $11,500 in scholarships to 23 deserving high school students from our area.

2010 West Central Electric Scholarship Winners

Tiarra Bowar
Daughter of Rod & Donna Bowar, Kennebec

Daryl Bunker
Son of James & Rita Bunker, Reliance

Tyler Buxcel
Son of Scott Buxcel & Lori Nix, Murdo

Ty Byrd
Son of Timothy & Debra Byrd, Murdo

Caleb Clements
Son of Mike & Debbie Clements, Philip

Andy Daum
Son of Ken & Jane Daum, Murdo

Carissa Doolittle
Daughter of Aaron & Angela Doolittle

Devon Ehlers
Son of Donnie & Bonnie Ehlers, Philip

Chana Gottsleben
Daughter of Bill & Jayne Gottsleben, Philip

Lexi Jones
Daughter of Barry & Kim Jones, Midland

Ali Linderman
Daughter of Lyle & Pat Linderman, Presho

Anna Michalek
Daughter of Neoma Flute, Lower Brule

Ian Muirhead
Son of David & Julie Muirhead, Presho

Danielle Piroutek
Daughter of Michael & Carolyn Piroutek, Milesville

Laura Rasmussen
Daughter of Dan & Dawn Rasmussen, Kadoka

Reed Reuman
Son of Mike & Marlene Reuman, Presho

Caroline Schofield
Daughter of Terry & Linda Schofield, Midland

Emily Schofield
Daughter of Jason & Lisa Schofield, Philip

Brendan Smith
Son of James & Jodi Smith, Vivian

Amber Toepfer
Daughter of Steve & Nancy Toepfer, Oacoma

Kyle Venard
Son of Bruce & Kerri Venard, Murdo

Mason White
Son of Warren & Denise White, Pierre

John Willoughby
Son of Jeff & Julie Willoughby, Pierre