Pioneer Electric Cooperative, as part of their ongoing involvement with the furtherance of quality education, have awarded two all expense paid trips to Washington, D.C.

The Washington Youth Tour essay contest is offered to 11th grade students in the Pioneer Electric Cooperative service area.

Winners from Greenville were Hannah Richard, representing Ft. Dale Academy and Edward Phelps representing Greenville Academy.

The pair competed with 15 students from the Butler, Lowndes and Dallas county schools that are in the Pioneer Electric Cooperative service area.

Other competitors from Butler County included Christopher Mills n Greenville High School, Justin Beeson n Greenville Academy, David Johnson n Ft. Dale Academy and Brandy Parker n Georgiana High School.

From Lowndes County were lowery Lane and Robyn Nichols n Lowndes Academy, Jerry L. Coleman n Central-Hayneville High School, Marcus Miles n Lowndes County Career Technical School and Leonard Scott and Ritzy Lewis n Calhoun High School.

Although only two students won the grand prize trips to Washington, D.C., each student in the semi-finals received a cash award.

Awards were presented by Jim Maxon, district manager of Pioneer Electric, Selma, Ala., and the announcement of the Youth Tour Winners was made by Linda Horn, marketing and economic development director, Pioneer Electric, Greenville.

English teachers coordinate the contest at each school with the essay assignment, collection of papers, and submission of the best essays to Youth Tour judges.

Two winners from each school joined other semi-finalists for Youth Day at Pioneer Electric Cooperative on Friday, Apr. 12. Students learned how the quality of life in South Central Alabama has been improved by rural electrification, rural water, internet service and economic development n services that are provided by Pioneer Electric Cooperative.

The final decision of the judges is based on the student's grade on the essay, and also the interview.

Children and grandchildren of Pioneer/Acme employees and directors are ineligible to win the trip.

Pioneer Electric Cooperative's two winners will join nearly a thousand other high school juniors to make the tour of our nation's capital during the third week of June.