Coweta-Fayette EMC’s delegates selected for 2023 Washington Youth Tour; Three local high school students will spend a week experiencing our nation’s capital

PALMETTO, GA, March 3, 2023 – Coweta-Fayette Electric Membership Corporation (CFEMC) has selected three local high school students to represent CFEMC on the 2023 Washington Youth Tour, an all-expenses-paid leadership experience sponsored by Georgia’s electric membership corporations (EMCs), including Coweta-Fayette EMC.

Emily Kirk, a junior at Northgate High School; Kalani McClendon, a junior at Fayette County High School; and Mariana Torres, a junior at East Coweta High School, were selected to participate in the tour this summer, which involves a week-long trip to Washington D.C. to learn more about our nation’s capital.

Every year, CFEMC recognizes outstanding high school students who are leaders in their schools, communities, places of worship, or academic and community organizations by providing a valuable leadership development program through the Washington Youth Tour, established by America’s electric cooperatives to inspire and educate our youth.

This year’s tour, which takes place June 15-22, 2023, offers opportunities for students to meet policymakers, tour historic museums and monuments, and participate in educational development and leadership experiences, all while making new friends from across the state and the nation.

For more than 50 years, the tour has helped promising student leaders to become exceptional young adults all while inspiring our next generation of leaders. EMC leaders and former student delegates agree the Youth Tour has grown into an invaluable program that gives young Americans an experience that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.

Kirk, McClendon, and Torres were carefully selected to represent CFEMC by a robust judging committee after submitting their applications and essays for review.

“Coweta-Fayette EMC is excited to offer this exceptional opportunity to three outstanding local students,” said Rachel Camp, Integrated Communications Coordinator with Coweta-Fayette EMC. “It will allow Emily, Kalani, and Mariana the chance to network with fellow peers and enhance their knowledge of our government and legislative process,” said Camp.

Since 1965, the Washington Youth Tour has given 3,000 students in Georgia and more than 50,000 students nationwide the opportunity to take part in this memorable experience. The program was initially implemented at the request of President Lyndon Johnson to “send youngsters to the nation’s capital where they can actually see what the flag stands for and represents.”