PHOTO: Meagan Swatzell

Robert McCarty, a VEC representitive, explains the contest requirements to Kellie Fogus.

On October 15, 2009, juniors received a visit from a VEC representive, Robert McCarty. Mr. McCarty spoke to the juniors about the 2010 Washington Youth Tour Writing Contest, a short story writing contest that could win up to $3,000 in scholarship money and a possible trip to Washington D.C. in the summer.

Juniors have an opportunity to win high dollar prizes by writing a short story describing how local electric cooperatives enrgize their communities by taking active roles in improving lives across their service areas. This short story must be written by only juniors, must be titled “Electric Cooperatives: Energizing Our Communities,” and it must not exceed 900 words and be typed and double-spaced. You are not allowed to include the name of your local electric cooperative in the story.

The scoring of the papers are divided into four sections. Originality is 35%, Appropriate treatment of theme is 25%, Grammar and composition is 15%, and Knowledge of subject is 25%. These percentages add to 100% and is the highest you could score.

There are prizes for the top three winners. First place, $3,000 in scholarship money and a week trip to Washington D.C., absolutely free. Second place, $2,000 in scholarship money. Lastly, third place, $1,000 in scholarship money.

This contest only comes to Rhea County every four years and the juniors this year are very lucky to have this rare opportunity.