Megan Niese from Miller City High School and Maggie Wilson from Antwerp High School represented Paulding Putnam Electric Co-op in the 2015 Electric Cooperative Youth Tour to Washington, D.C.
The high school seniors-to-be gained a personal understanding of American history, their role as a citizen and insight to the important roles electric cooperatives play in their community. Ohio’s electric cooperatives have been providing this opportunity since the 1970’s.
According to Erika Willitzer, Marketing Manager for Paulding Putnam Electric, the Ohio delegation of 35 to 40 high school juniors and seniors from Ohio meet up with about 1,400 other students from across the country as part of this program sponsored by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.
“Paulding Putnam Electric is pleased to be able to provide this opportunity for our local youth,” Willitzer said. “These students gained a first-hand understanding of the legislative process and made connections that will last a lifetime. Our youth are our future, and it’s an honor for PPEC to give them the tools to succeed.”
The students visited the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial, Gettysburg National Military Park, Arlington National Cemetery, the Smithsonian Institution, the National mall memorials, the National Museum of the Marine Corps and more. Both students even had the chance to meet Congressman Jim Jordan and Speaker of the House John Boehner.
“The fact that two strong political leaders took time out of their hectic schedule to meet with our students sent a strong message about the important leadership role they can play through civic engagement,” said Willitzer.
