2020 youth tour essay contest winners include Twin Rivers, area students

Several area high school students recently won the Ozark Border Electric Cooperative’s Youth Tour Essay Contest.

Lydia Bryant

This contest challenges high school juniors to write an essay for the chance to win one of two all-expenses paid trips to the Rural Electric Youth Tour in Washington, D.C., according to Ozark Border. The seven-day tour usually provides an opportunity for students to learn firsthand what it is like to be involved in politics, leadership positions and community service.

Jaden Baggett

Two second-place winners receive a trip to Jefferson City for the Cooperative Youth Conference & Leadership Experience (CYCLE). The three-day program includes nationally known speakers and a day at the state Capitol. The conference shows students more about electric cooperatives, Missouri government and teaches leadership skills. Six finalists also receive a cash prize.

Hope McCollough

This year, both Youth Tour and CYCLE trips were cancelled due to Covid-19.

Macy Hendrix

“Because the students had already put in the hard work of writing essays, our board of directors chose to honor the top two winners with a $2,500 scholarship and the CYCLE trip winners were given a $250 cash prize,” Ozark Border officials said.

Kaden Siebert

The two high school juniors chosen to receive the $2,500 scholarship in lieu of the trip to Washington D.C.: Andrea Arnold of Twin Rivers High School and Lydia Bryant of Campbell High School.

Brody Fennell

The $250 cash prizes for the CYCLE trip winners: Kaden Siebert of Campbell High School and Hope McCollough of Westwood Baptist Academy.

McKenzy Green

Finalists also earning a cash prize: Kirby Vandover of Westwood Baptist Academy; and Macy Hendrix, Blake Belcher, Brody Fennell, Jaden Baggett and McKenzy Green, all from Campbell High School.