Back to Blog

The Future is Bright: Island Students Represent OPALCO at the Co-op Youth Rally

classMore than 65 students representing electric co-ops from Alaska to Nevada attended the 2022 Co-op Youth Rally at the College of Idaho. The week-long event is a leadership camp and scholarship program for rural electric cooperatives and public utilities.

Four high-school students from the islands represented OPALCO.

island kids

From Orcas Island High School: August Moore and Valeria Villareal; and from Friday Harbor High: McKenna Clark and Satchel Bourne. Honorable mention to Luke Fincher of Friday Harbor who was accepted into the program but was unable to attend at the last minute.

The students have a jam-packed week of learning, leadership development, teambuilding and summer camp fun. Youth take part in classes about the electric industry, governance structures, business challenges, renewable and electrical generation as well as leadership activities and the opportunity to make connections with peers throughout the region. Each student also gets $1,000 from OPALCO to put toward their post high-school education.youth activity

OPALCO’s Nourdine Jensen Cooperative Youth Scholarship Program is supported by the family of Nourdine Jensen, a long time OPALCO board member who was committed to supporting the youth of our island communities in learning about public power providing opportunities to explore outside of San Juan County. Nourdine Jensen served on the OPALCO board for 37 years, from 1965-2008.

Sophomores and Juniors interested in the program may apply at www.opalco.com in early 2023.

You may also like...

virtual meeting stock

Meet the OPALCO Board Candidates March 9th. Ballots hit the mail March 10th.

As a member-owned cooperative, OPALCO members elect the Board of Directors who are responsible for setting policies and rates, essentially guiding the course for our electric utility. The 2023 nominations … Read more
oddfellows

Ask Lindsay: Tips for Businesses in San Juan County

What programs are available to OPALCO businesses? In 2023, OPALCO has a grant-funded program for businesses called Energize San Juans. This grant helps businesses and farms in the islands upgrade … Read more
vote

EGC Announces OPALCO Board Candidates – Nominations by Petition Due February 17th

The volunteer member Elections & Governance Committee (EGC) has completed their nominations process and selected a slate of candidates for the 2023 OPALCO Board of Directors election. There are two … Read more