Spotlight on Education: Southeast Junior Selected for DC Event

BRADENTON — Peace River Electric Cooperative (PRECO) has selected Richecar Polinice, a junior at Southeast High School, to attend the national “Youth Tour to Washington DC” event in June. She will join a group of 30 students from other Florida electric cooperatives in this annual event.

Richecar Polinice

The weeklong Youth Tour takes place each summer, drawing more than 1,500 students from electric co-ops in 46 states. The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), headquartered in Arlington, Va., has coordinated this event for over 50 years.

PRECO promotes the program to 16 high schools throughout its 10-county service territory. To be considered, students are required to submit an application and a two-page essay.

“Youth Tour is a once-in-a-lifetime event for high school juniors,” explains Mark Sellers, Communications Coordinator. “Each year, PRECO enables two students to attend all-expenses-paid.”

Polinice was one of two students selected by PRECO. The other was Meagan Yopp of Fort Meade. The two 11th grade students will meet Florida legislators on Capitol Hill and visit many area points of interest, such as the White House, National Cathedral, Washington Memorial, Holocaust Museum, numerous war memorials and more.

“Youth Tour also teaches students about the history and development of rural electrification and the value of electric cooperatives in the economic development of rural areas,” adds Sellers.