Youth Scholarship Program

***The 2021 program has been cancelled due to COVID-19. All aspects of the program are put on hold this year. ***

NEWS FLASH! Scholarship Amount is now $1,000 thanks to the generosity of the family of Nourdine Jensen. Scholars can also receive up to $1,100 more in scholarships at the rally.

2020 Scholarship App and Guidelines

Five San Juan County high-school students attended the Co-op Youth Rally as Nourdine Jensen Cooperative Youth Scholars in early July.

The 2019 delegation included (from left to right) Tashi Litch, Lichen Johnson, Jose Raya, Youth Director, Arlo Harold, Anne Marie Ryan, and Presley Clark. Students earn top scholarships ranging from $300-$600 from the Idaho Consumer-owned Utilities Association (ICUA) in addition to the $1,000 Nourdine Jensen scholarship awarded by OPALCO to the first-year students. The Youth Rally included a mix of classroom time, guest speakers and social networking. There were over 75 students from seven western states in attendance at the co-op leadership camp. Lichen Johnson of Lopez Island High School was elected by his peers to return in 2020 as a Youth Director. Sophomores and Juniors interested in the program may apply starting in February 2020.

Check out more pictures from the youth rally here!

History

Nourdine Jensen served on the OPALCO Board for 37 years, from 1965 to 2008. Jensen was a long-time boat builder and former Friday Harbor town councilman, school board member and Port Commissioner. He believed in the cooperative model as a way to bring reliable, affordable electricity for the rural islanders of San Juan County.

In that spirit, the Nourdine Jensen Cooperative Youth Program was established to educate our youth about public power electric co-ops and to give them the opportunity to expand their horizons and to develop leadership qualities.

For more information, contact communications@opalco.com