Two San Juan Islanders represent OPALCO at the 2022 Co-op Youth Rally

The OPALCO delegation at the state capital in Idaho, with Satchel Bourne, McKenna Clark, August Moore and Valeria Villareal — Contributed photo

OPALCO sends along an update about one of their education initiatives.

More than 65 students representing electric co-ops from Alaska to Nevada attended the 2022 Co-op Youth Rally at the College of Idaho in Caldwell from July 11 through 16. The week-long event is a leadership camp and scholarship program for rural electric cooperatives and public utilities.

Four high school students from the San Juan Islands represented OPALCO, including McKenna Clark and Satchel Bourne from Friday Harbor High School, and August Moore and Valeria Villareal Orcas Island High School. Luke Fincher of Friday Harbor was accepted into the program but was unable to attend at the last minute.

The students had busy week of learning, leadership development, teambuilding, and summer camp fun. They took part in classes about the electric industry, governance structures, business challenges, renewable and electrical generation, as well as leadership activities and the opportunity to make connections with peers throughout the region. Each student also received $1,000 from OPALCO to put toward their post-high school education.

OPALCO’s Nourdine Jensen Cooperative Youth Scholarship Program is supported by the family of Nourdine Jensen, a long-time OPALCO board member who was committed to supporting the youth of our island communities in learning about public power and providing opportunities to explore outside of San Juan County. Nourdine Jensen served on the OPALCO board for 37 years, from 1965 to 2008.

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