Special to Atmore News
Escambia River Electric Cooperative (EREC) selected two students from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties to participate in the Washington Youth Tour.
This year’s winners are Carli Carrillo from Milton High School and Jaquez Moorer from Northview High School.
A musician, scholar and an athlete, Carrillo is a member of the Beta Club, National Honor Society, and National Society of High School Scholars. She is a member of the band where she is the trumpet section leader and serves as secretary of the Spanish club at Milton High School. She is also part of the first year teacher’s academy where she helps kids with reading and comprehension. Outside of school, Carrillo referees soccer games for kids under the age of 14. Her future goals are to study biology and teaching.
A 3.9 student, Moorer is a member of the Northview Beta Club and is dual enrolled at Pensacola State College where he is already taking college courses. He is part of the Northview football team, last season’s state runner-up. Moorer was named as a 2022 Academic All Star by the Atmore Rotary Club and is recognized by his teachers as one who is always willing to help other students who may be struggling. His future goal is to study marine biology.
Both Carrillo and Moorer are thrilled to participate in the Youth Tour program.
“I’m excited for the unique opportunity to meet new people and see the history of my country,” Carrillo said. “I hope to be able to see the various war memorial sites and museums that Washington has to offer.”
Moorer is eager to visit various sites, including the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, and the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
“I am excited to be part of Youth Tour because of the opportunities and the life experience it will provide me,” he said.
The Washington Youth Tour is a program offered by electric cooperatives throughout the nation to high school juniors from their co-op membership. Participants receive an all-expense-paid trip to the nation’s capital and learn about the nation’s history with visits to the Arlington National Cemetery, the Washington Monument, and many other historical sites.
In addition, students not only meet with other participants their age from across the nation, but they also get the opportunity to discuss current issues with Congressional representatives and senators.
“Every year, the quality of the students competing for the youth tour remains impressive, and this year is no exception,” EREC CEO Ryan Campbell said. “We are pleased that EREC takes an active role in providing opportunities for our youth and works with cooperatives across the country to send students to Washington for this tour.”