Orcas High School senior Cameron Schuh, a 2012 Opalco scholarship recipient, was elected by his peers at the multi-state 2012 Co-op Youth Rally to return this year as a Youth Director.

At a planning meeting for the 2013 Rally this month in Boise, Cameron was elected President of the 2013 Youth Directors.

The Co-op Youth Rally is a one-week program for high school sophomores and juniors, established in 1986. It educates students about rural electrification and grassroots organization, helps them develop leadership skills – and also provides some good summer camp fun.

For 2013, OPALCO will select three students to receive the Nourdine Jensen Cooperative Youth Scholarship ($500) and, with Cameron, attend the Co-op Youth Rally and leadership camp at the College of Idaho.

“This is a life-changing experience,” says Schuh after the 2012 Rally. “I have met so many new and interesting people and am making friendships that will last a lifetime.”

The three students from San Juan County (along with OPALCO chaperones) will join 100 peers from rural electric co-ops in Idaho, Alaska, Oregon, Wyoming, and Utah for a packed schedule of leadership-building and fun events. The Rally, scheduled for July 8-13, is hosted by the Idaho Consumer Utilities Association, which also sponsors additional scholarship awards and leadership opportunities to participating students.

All sophomores and juniors from OPALCO member households are eligible to apply. The competition guide book and application are available online at www.opalco.com. Scholarship winners will be chosen based on a personal interview and will receive their awards at OPALCO’s 76th annual meeting on the ferry, scheduled for Saturday, May 4. Applications must be received by 4:30 pm on Friday, March 22.