Area teenagers encouraged to apply for Youth Tour in Washington, D.C.

Woodruff Electric will be selecting two outstanding high school juniors to attend Youth Tour, an all-expenses-paid educational trip to Washington, D.C., from June 16 through 22.

Applications are now open to all juniors enrolled at a local high school or homeschool. Students selected to participate will have an opportunity to earn a $5,000 scholarship.

“Two winners will be selected from an interview process this year and those students will participate in the trip. The trip is part of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Youth Tour and is open to all high school juniors attending local area schools,” said Woodruff Electric CEO, Michael Swan.

To enter, contestants will be required to participate in an interview and answer questions regarding their school and community involvement, personal interests and goals, and plans for their future. The deadline for submitting applications is March 20.

“Woodruff Electric puts great pride in demonstrating Cooperative Principle No. 7 “Concern for Community” in the communities it serves by supporting students. Through the Youth Tour, we are helping Arkansas' youth learn more about our nation’s government, American history, and the electric cooperatives, as well as develop leadership skills for their future careers,” said Swan.

This is the 34th year that Woodruff Electric has sponsored youth to participate in this tour. The Arkansas Youth Tour will consist of a 40-member group that travels to and from Washington, D.C., by air. The group will join about 1,800 students from across the nation who are attending the tour.

During the tour, the chaperoned group will visit historic sites, such as Mount Vernon, the Smithsonian Institution, Arlington National Cemetery, the Lincoln Memorial, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, and the U.S. Capitol. Youth Tour delegates will also visit with members of the Arkansas congressional delegation. Also, students will participate in special programs developed by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), the national organization of electric cooperatives that coordinates the Youth Tour.

Youth who are eligible for the Youth Tour are requested to visit www.woodruffelectric.com for contest rules, application and information or call Woodruff Electric office at 870-633-2262.

Brodie Johnson • Times-Herald It’s normally all hands on deck on Valentine’s Day at area florists and gifts shops as employees and volunteers work to fill hundreds of orders. Debbie’s Flowers, in Forrest City, has been working for several days leading up to Valentine’s Day to fill their orders. Above, volunteers Bette Green, left, and Pat Beede place orders on a table to be sent out for delivery this morning. At right, Wendy Stevens fills a balloon to complete an order so it can be delivered.

Katie West • Times-Herald Eugenia Edwards smiles and waves as she and her son enter the Forrest City Civic Center Monday night for the St. Francis County SUCCESS program’s Valentine’s dance. Children spent time with their parents and friends while also dancing and enjoying refreshments. More pictures can be found on Page 3 of today’s Times-Herald.