November 2011 NewsWires
Youth Power and Hope winners chosen
Five young Hoosiers are the latest recipients of the Youth Power and Hope Awards. They were chosen in October based on their dedication to community service.
Sponsored by Electric Consumer, the statewide publication of Indiana’s electric cooperatives, the contest, now in its third year, was open to Indiana fifth through eighth graders and emphasized the important role young Hoosiers play in their communities.
Entrants had to complete an entry form, submit an essay regarding community service, provide examples of how they have been involved in their local community, and include a letter of reference. A panel of judges then selected the five award winners.
The winners are:
• Madyson Stricker, South Whitley. The seventh grader is the daughter of James and Beth Stricker and is a member of Northeastern REMC.
• Stephanie Gall, Fort Wayne. The eighth grader is the daughter of Timothy and Sharen Gall and is a Northeastern REMC member.
• Paul Diekhoff, North Vernon. An eighth grader, Paul is the son of Decatur County REMC members Joe and Julie Diekhoff.
• Megan Hawkins, Shoals. Megan, a seventh grader, is the daughter of Rodney and Mimi Hawkins and is a Daviess-Martin County REMC member.
• Peyton Newman, Winamac. The sixth grader is the daughter of Art and Melissa Newman. The Newmans are Fulton County REMC members.
The winners will be honored during a ceremony on Nov. 15 in Indianapolis as part of the Indiana Statewide Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives’ Annual Meeting.
They also will have the opportunity to meet and talk with Rupert Boneham, a fan favorite from the television show “Survivor.” Boneham is a community activist, entrepreneur and now 2012 Indiana gubernatorial candidate who believes in encouraging kids. In addition, the Youth Power and Hope contest winners will have their entry essays published in Electric Consumer’s December issue.
“I look forward to meeting these five young people who have so generously given their time, talents and enthusiasm to helping better their communities,” said Emily Schilling, editor of Electric Consumer. “They prove that community service is something people of all ages can do and that, certainly, is an empowering thing to consider.”