Left to right: Youth Tourists Ryan Porter, Naomi Udenze, and Gabriella Gagnon
National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) hosts the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour in Washington, D.C., each June. Union Power and co-ops nationwide promote this program to their local high school juniors. Going through the application and interview process is well worth it because, once selected, these students have an opportunity to experience the sites of D.C., meet elected officials, and learn more about how they can make a difference as young leaders. These outstanding juniors will represent Union Power Cooperative at this year’s Electric Cooperative Youth Tour.
Meet Our Youth Tourists
Ryan Porter is a rising senior at Forest Hills High School and is the son of Candie and Fred Porter of Monroe. Ryan is a part of the National English Honors Society and is a swimmer for a competitive swim team. In his free time, he likes to show off his skills in video editing and studying computers.
Naomi Udenze is a rising senior at Central Academy of Technology and Arts (CATA) and is the daughter of Constance and Roland Udenze of Waxhaw. Naomi is a member of the National Honors Society, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), and the BETA Club. She spends her free time teaching kids how to program and design games.
Gabriella Gagnon is a rising senior at Marvin Ridge High School and is the daughter of Willow Gagnon of Waxhaw. She is very involved in her school community. With her many accomplishments, she is on the Principal’s Honor Roll, co-president of her school’s environmental club, and a volunteer at Red Cross.
