Each year, Central sends two students to Washington, D.C. to take part in the Youth Tour program organized by the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives. ­Like 2020, the trip for 2021 was canceled due to Covid-19, however, Central still hosted the contest and presented scholarships to finalists.

Current high school juniors going to school within Central’s service area were eligible to apply. Students submitted an essay on the importance of rural internet. Five finalists were chosen based on their essay scores. The finalists were then interviewed by a panel of judges, and two were selected as scholarship winners.

The two winners, Abbi Avers, Carney High School, and Lenna Abouzahr, Stillwater High School, received $2,000 scholarships in lieu of the trip. The three additional finalists, Jesse Morris, Ripley High School; Katelyn Walker, Perry High School; and Emily Massar, Stillwater High School, each received $250 scholarships.

Central would like to think our judges, Rena Hines, Meridian Technology Center; Erin Portman, International Fire Service Training Association; and Kaylee Travis, Oklahoma State University for serving as judges.