The OPALCO Board of Directors has established a scholarship program in honor of Nourdine Jensen.

Jensen was a long-time board member and advocate for the cooperative.

The Nourdine Jensen Cooperative Youth Scholarship Program will award three high school sophomores and juniors with a $500 scholarship. Additionally, scholarship recipients will also get and all-expenses paid trip to the Youth Rally leadership camp at the College of Idaho this summer.

The deadline to apply is March 15.

Jensen believed in reliable, affordable electricity for rural islanders of San Juan County.

He believed in the cooperative model. In that spirit, the Jensen program was established to educate our youth about electric co-ops and public power, and to give them the opportunity to expand their horizons and to develop leadership skills.

Scholarship winners (along with an OPALCO chaperone) will join 150 peers from rural electric co-ops in Idaho, Alaska, Oregon and Wyoming at the rally. It’s hosted by the Idaho Consumer Utilities Association and established in 1986.

In addition to leadership activities, students will enjoy a full range of social activities, a visit to a water park, roller-skating, bowling, dances and a talent show. While at the rally, students can compete to earn additional scholarship and leadership awards.

Scholarship winners will be chosen based on a personal interview and will receive their awards at OPALCO’s 74th annual meeting on the ferry scheduled for May 14.

For more info, a guide wbook or application go to OPALCO’s Web site, www.opalco.com, or drop by any OPALCO office.