Community Spirit Lives on Through Scholarship Program
Nourdine Jensen served on the Orcas Power & Light Cooperative Board of Trustees for 37 years, from 1965 to 2008. Nourdine was a longtime boat builder and former Friday Harbor town councilman, school board member and port commissioner. He believed in the cooperative model to bring reliable, affordable electricity to rural islanders.
In that spirit, OPALCO established the Nourdine Jensen Cooperative Youth Program to teach youth about public power and give them the opportunity to expand their horizons and develop leadership qualities. Nourdine’s family continues to support the program for youth in San Juan County.
In July, more than 65 students representing electric co-ops from Alaska to Nevada attended the 2024 Co-op Youth Rally at Northwest Nazarene College in Nampa, Idaho. The weeklong event is a leadership camp and scholarship program.
Five high school students from the islands represented OPALCO. From Orcas Island High School were Riley Helms, Isabel Boyd, Sofia Jauregui-Mahony and Cienna Richardson. From Friday Harbor High was Matthew VanDyck. Molina Stone, from Orcas Island High School, returned for a second year to act as a director and help plan and facilitate the event.
The students had a jam-packed week of learning, leadership development, team-building and summer
camp fun.Youth took part in classes about the electric industry, governance structures, business challenges, and electrical generation, including renewables. They took part in leadership activities and made connections with peers from throughout the region.
OPALCO gives each participating student $1,000 to put toward their post high-school education. Cienna received an additional $500 scholarship from event host Idaho Consumer Owned Utilities Association. Riley was recognized for outstanding achievement during the rally.
Sophomores and juniors interested in the program may apply in early 2025 at www.opalco.com.
