Jackson Named Upson EMC Delegate for Washington Youth Tour
Maddox Jackson of Thomaston has been selected to attend the 55th annual Washington Youth Tour, a once-in-a-lifetime leadership experience made possible through the generosity of the electric membership cooperatives in Georgia, including Upson EMC.
According to Brooke Parrott with Upson EMC, it is an honor to be chosen for the trip. Candidates compete for a spot alongside other teens who are community volunteers in a variety of youth service organizations, student athletes, and members of respected academic organizations such as Beta Club, National Honor Society, student council, Key Club, debate club, Future Business Leaders of America, Interact Club, and Science Olympiad, as well as other notable clubs and associations.
“The Youth Tour was established to inspire the next generation of leaders,” says Brooke. This year’s tour, which was scheduled to take place June 18-25, has been canceled due to COVID-19, but Maddox has been offered the opportunity to attend next year’s event.
Maddox was carefully selected through Thomaston-Upson Chamber of Commerce’s Youth Leadership Program, which included an application process and many leadership opportunities. During the program, he was selected along with five other students by their peers to be interviewed by out of town judges for the Washington Youth Tour.
Former delegates and participating EMCs agree the Youth Tour has grown into an invaluable program that gives young adults an experience that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.
The Youth Tour continues to educate young people about our government, but participants also have the opportunity to gain exclusive leadership experience and training and build connections that shape future career paths.
Student delegates will explore government on a national level, gathering in Atlanta before departing for Washington, D.C. While visiting the nation’s capital, the delegates will have the opportunity to meet with their elected officials to discuss and learn about issues that are important in their local communities as well. The teens will also visit famous sites such as the U.S. Capitol, Smithsonian Institution museums, the Supreme Court and the Arlington Cemetery.
The Georgia delegation will join more than 1,800 additional youth representing cooperatives across the nation. The students will have the opportunity to exchange ideas and views about local and national issues with peers from other states.
“I learned that no matter how young I am, my voice matters,” noted a former delegate.
Since 1965, the Washington Youth Tour has given more than 3,000 students from Georgia and more than 50,000 nationwide the opportunity to take part in this unique experience. President Lyndon Johnson initially requested the program to “send youngsters to the nation’s capital where they can actually see what the flag stands for and represents.”
Upson EMC is a consumer-owned cooperative providing electricity and related services to 6,940 members in Crawford, Meriwether, Pike, Talbot, Taylor and Upson counties.
Published in The Upson Beacon 4-16-2020 - Photo by Luke Haney.
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