COOPERATIVE connection

Valley GUEST COLUMN Rural Electric Investing in our communities’ Cooperative, Inc. future leaders

MORE years ago than I care the “cream of the crop” from area to admit, I left a position in schools to experience the sights and the academic world to work appreciate the history of our nation’s for an electric cooperative. capital and the rural electric program. One of 14 electric Though I was excited about I’ve had the pleasure of preparing cooperatives serving Pennsylvania and the new challenge, I did young adults for this “trip of a lifetime” New Jersey wonder if I would miss — in their words, not mine. I’ve watched interacting with students on nervous girls and boys meeting for the a regular basis. It didn’t first time who later became lifelong Valley Rural Electric take me long to realize that, friends. I’ve seen kids take this life- Cooperative, Inc. by Luanne H. Eckenrode at Valley Rural Electric, I changing opportunity and make the 10700 Fairgrounds Road Vice President, would continue to have most of it, transforming their outlooks P.O. Box 477 Consumer Services and opportunities to make an and expanding their horizons. Each year Huntingdon, PA 16652-0477 Public Relations 814/643-2650 impact on the lives of young I think there could not be a nicer group 1-800-432-0680 people (and vice versa). of teenagers … and then another one www.valleyrec.com One of my job responsibilities was to comes along. (For more on this year’s present educational programs on electri - Youth Tour, please see Pages 14b-14c.)

BO A R D O F DI RE C T O RS cal safety, energy efficiency, energy and Five years ago, I chaired the commit - James Stauffer the environment, and other utility topics. tee that established Valley’s Brighter Chairman My teaching experience came in handy Future Scholarship Program. Funded by

Corey Brumbaugh as I reviewed the program materials, tin - unclaimed capital credits refunds that Vice Chairman kered with the demonstration units and formerly had to be returned to the state researched publications for information treasury, it awards 25 $1,000 scholarships Kevin States Secretary on everything from grounding rods to each year to students in 18 public and electromagnetic fields. After a crash various non-public high schools within Cindy Bigelow course in the basics of electricity, I was seven of the eight counties served by the Treasurer prepared to share what I had learned. cooperative, as well as students already Leroy Barnes Over the years, I spoke with students enrolled in post-secondary institutions. PREA Director from preschool to high school. With the Developing the selection criteria,

Robert Holmes help of Valley linemen, I displayed the scoring the applications and presenting Allegheny Director power of electricity with our high-volt - the scholarship certificates has been an age demonstration. I reminded young - investment in time that has reaped huge Mervin Brumbaugh Gregory Henry sters to watch for wires when outdoors rewards, not only for the cooperative’s Linda McMath by using our “Safety City” exhibit. And public relations efforts but also person - I played many a game of electrical “Jeop - ally. (For information on this year’s

C OR P O RA T E O FF IC E H OU R S ardy,” explaining how electricity works recipients, please see Page 14d.) Monday - Thursday and why it deserves our respect. All of these “value-added” programs 7 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Whether meeting with children or offered by the co-op continue to make an

H UN T I N GDO N /M A R TI N SBU R G/SH A D E GA P adults in a classroom, a fire house or a impact on the youngest of our con - OF FI CE H O UR S church basement, I was always impressed sumers. And they have made a positive Monday - Thursday 7 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. with the enthusiasm of the audience. And influence on my career and commitment more often than not, I was asked a ques - to life-long learning. If you have sons, O U TA GE S & E M E RGE N C I E S tion for which I had no answer (but gladly daughters or grandchildren who might 1-800-432-0680 checked and got back to them). be able to take advantage of our educa - I also coordinated the cooperative’s tional and outreach programs, please sponsorship of high school students on encourage them to contact us. We believe the Rural Electric Youth Tour. The week- in investing in our local communities long trip to Washington, D.C., gathers and empowering our future leaders. l

AUGUST 2014 • PENN LINES 14a Valley Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Valley REC sponsors 14 area students on Youth Tour to Washington, D.C.

By Doug Roles Director of Member Services

VALLEY Rural Electric Cooperative sponsored 14 high school students on the 2014 Rural Electric Youth Tour to Wash - ington, D.C., June 15-20. The teens, from eight different schools in three counties, spent their time in the capital meeting leg - islators and learning about the cooperative business model.

They joined more than 1,600 other jun - I K S

iors and seniors from electric cooperatives W E I N

all over the country — 92 from co-ops in U K O

Pennsylvania and New Jersey — who par - H P E

ticipated in the event. T S

Y B

The all-expenses-paid trip was packed O T

with activities, including meetings with O H lawmakers and rural electric leaders, visits P 2014 YOUTH TOUR: Valley REC students on Youth Tour were, front from left, Elizabeth “Libby” Lane, to historic monuments throughout Wash - Hannah Taylor, Michaelynn Lauer and Caitlin England; middle, from left, Shyanne Wible, Morgan ington, and tours of the Smithsonian muse - Brumbaugh, Melissa States, Taylor Boonie and Abbey Cresswell; and back, from left, Mikaela McGraw, ums, Holocaust Museum, National Zoo, Lance Barnett, Carly England, Dylan DeShong and Todd Chapman. and Arlington Cemetery. The agenda also included a cruise on the Potomac River, a “It was great to be there with other stu - heard about the principles that govern parade at the Iwo Jima Memorial and a the - dents who wanted to be there as much as rural electric and other cooperatives. Rec - ater production at the John F. Kennedy I wanted to and to be able to make such ommended by guidance counselors at Center for the Arts. great friends in the process!” she says. “It their respective schools, the students were “My favorite things were getting to was such a great experience. Honestly, it selected for the trip on the basis of aca - know different people from different felt like one really long day with a bunch demic achievement, leadership in extracur - states,” says Shyanne Wible, a Youth Tour of naps in between. ... My favorite part ricular activities and community service. student from Three Springs. “I also liked about the trip had to be when we visited Huntingdon Area High School had the Iwo Jima Sunset Parade.” Arlington Cemetery. It was just so hum - two juniors on Youth Tour 2014. They Hannah Taylor, a student from McVey - bling to see just how many people gave were Melissa States of Hesston, daughter town, says Youth Tour was one of the best their lives for our country’s freedom.” of Kevin and Sarah States, and Michae - trips she’s taken. She also says she enjoyed Youth Tour participants are dependents lynn Lauer of Huntingdon, daughter of the many activities. of co-op members. During the trip, they Steve and Cindy Lauer. Melissa is considering becoming a physician. She serves as secretary of her class and president of the 4-H club. She was chosen as one of two students to rep - resent Valley Rural Electric Cooperative in Pennsylvania’s Youth Leadership Council

I competition during Youth Tour. K S W

E Michaelynn plays and field I N U

K hockey for the Bearcats and is a student O

H council member. She has also been a con - P E T

S testant in the Rotary speech competition.

Y B Her goal is to become a pharmacist or an O T O

H attorney. P ABOVE: Rep. Bill Shuster (R-Hollidaysburg) speaks with Youth Tour students from central Pennsylvania. Two of the participants are from The visit to Capitol Hill is one of the highlights of Youth Tour each year. Mount Union Area High School. They are

14b PENN LINES • AUGUST 2014 Valley Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc.

dance and has served for three years as program of Calvary Independent Baptist president of her 4-H club. She plays field Church. hockey, competes in track and field, and Dylan DeShong of Hustontown is the volunteers with the Trough Creek Volun - son of Chris and Lori DeShong. The teer Fire Co. Abbey plans to become a Forbes Road High School junior serves as psychologist and work with troubled his class secretary. He plays soccer for youth. Forbes Road and with the American

R Shyanne enjoys spending time with Youth Soccer Organization. He is inter - O L

Y her church youth group. Like some of her ested in history, and sees military service

A TOUR FUN: Youth Tour includes a few hours of fun at T

H Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. Above: Lance fellow Youth Tour students, she, too, is and engineering work in his future. A N

N Barnett poses with actor Denzel Washington. Below:

A involved in the Future Farmers of Amer - Taylor Boonie, Juniata Valley High H

Y Libby Lane enters the newsroom of The Washington ica program, serving as her chapter’s his - School Class of 2015, is the daughter of B

S Post to compare notes with reporter Bob Woodward. O torian. She also is secretary for the 4-H Troy and Erica Boonie of Petersburg. Her T O H

P club and is a Young Lions (LEO) Club school activities include cheerleading, vol - member with Abbey and Todd. leyball, track and yearbook. Like many of Todd is president of the South Hunt - her Youth Tour counterparts, her after- ingdon County LEO Club and a member school hours include time spent with her of the school’s marching band. Todd has church youth group and the local FFA participated in track and field for the chapter. She would like to work in inter - Rockets and competed in the science national affairs. Olympiad. He is considering a career as Mikaela McGraw of Martinsburg is the an information technology manager. daughter of Patty McGraw. The Central Two of this year’s Youth Tour students High School junior enjoys fitness and were from Williamsburg High School. sports training, and has attended youth Twin sisters Carly and Caitlin England of and camps. She plays Williamsburg are the daughters of Barry both sports for Central, where she also and Gwendolyn England. serves as class vice president. She is inter - Literary club and math league keep ested in becoming a CPA or an attorney. Caitlin busy, along with her other pur - Valley Rural Electric Cooperative is a Elizabeth “Libby” Lane of McVeytown, suits. She plays and softball for member-owned utility that serves more daughter of Beau and Mitzi Lane, and Williamsburg and is in band. She hopes than 21,000 consumers in Bedford, Blair, Hannah Taylor of McVeytown, daughter to become an orthopedic surgeon. Centre, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, of James and Rebecca Taylor. Carly plays softball and volleyball for Juniata and Mifflin counties. Elizabeth is involved with Health Occu - the Blue Pirates. She is in the school band For more information on the Rural pation Students of America and placed and enjoys spending time with her church Electric Youth Tour, contact the member first in a health-related Skills USA regional youth group. She is considering becoming services department at Valley REC at competition. She has played softball for the a veterinarian. 814-643-2650, toll-free 800-432-0680 or Trojans for three years and enjoys camp - Tussey Mountain High School junior email [email protected]. l ing and fishing. She hopes to become a Morgan Brumbaugh of James Creek is the registered nurse and work with children. daughter of Bill and Marcy Brumbaugh. Hannah enjoys acting in school plays, She is vice president of her class and is playing guitar and participating in church involved in marching band, basketball activities. She is involved in her school’s and softball. She has served her church as chapter of Future Business Leaders of a Sunday school teacher for three years America, student council and choir. She and is involved in her school’s 4-H chap - plans to pursue a career in sports nutrition. ter. Like Carly, Morgan is considering a Southern Huntingdon County High career in veterinary science. School had three students on this year’s Lance Barnett of Todd was the only R O

Youth Tour. They are Abbey Cresswell of senior on this year’s tour. The son of Chris L Y A T Cassville, daughter of Timothy and Jodi and Maria Barnett, Todd was a Youth H A

Cresswell; Shyanne Wible of Three Leadership Council candidate for Valley N N A H Springs, daughter of Jason and Monica REC. A homeschooled student, Lance also Y B

Wible; and Todd Chapman of Blairs Mills, played football for Tussey Mountain High O T O

School, serving as the senior captain. He, H son of Gerald and Teresa Chapman. P Abbey, the current Orbisonia/Rockhill too, is involved in Huntingdon County’s 4- H MEMORIAL VISIT: Youth Tour students visit the Homecoming Queen, loves singing and program and is active with the mission U.S. Marine Corps (Iwo Jima) War Memorial.

AUGUST 2014 • PENN LINES 14c Valley Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Valley Rural Electric Cooperative awards 25 $1,000 scholarships to local students By Luanne H. Eckenrode Gary and Jeanette Keefer, attending Penn University; Mount Union Area High Vice President, Consumer Services & Public Relations State Altoona; Central High School — School — Ciera Ranck of McVeytown, VALLEY Rural Electric Cooperative Laura Ritchey of Martinsburg, daughter daughter of Eric and Laura Ranck, recently awarded 25 $1,000 scholarships of Thomas and Cindy Ritchey, attending attending Messiah College; and Alicia to high school seniors as well as students Penn State University; and Andrew John - Baker of Huntingdon, daughter of already enrolled in post-secondary institu - ston of East Freedom, son of Ritchie and Richard and Jody Baker, attending Penn - tions. Marsha Johnston, attending Penn State sylvania College of Technology; Southern The co-op’s Brighter Future Scholarship Altoona; Claysburg-Kimmel High School Huntingdon County High School — Program was established in Chandlar Kern of Cassville, 2010 to assist eligible stu - daughter of Christopher dents who are cooperative and Tina Kern, attending members or their depend - Penn State; and Hannah ents. Selection criteria King of Shade Gap, daugh - include academic achieve - ter of Ron and Wendy ment, financial need, and school activities — Ryan Smith of Claysburg, son of Ed King, attending Slippery Rock University. and community service. and Gail Smith, attending Penn State; Juniata County: Juniata High School — The money to finance this initiative Hollidaysburg Area Senior High School — Megan Shoop of Port Royal, daughter of comes from unclaimed capital credits, Erik Stern of Duncansville, son of Kevin Robert and Tina Shoop, attending York refunds that previously had to be turned and Veronique Stern, attending Penn College of Pennsylvania; and Callie Stouf - over to the state treasury. But now, thanks State; and Caitlyn Edgell of Hollidaysburg, fer of Honey Grove, daughter of Joseph to the efforts of the cooperative’s political daughter of John and Penne Edgell, also McCalips, attending Harrisburg Area advocates, these resources can be kept in attending Penn State; Williamsburg Jun - Community College. co-op communities and used to assist con - ior/Senior High School — Austin Mifflin County: Mifflin County High sumers facing financial hardships and to McMonagle of Williamsburg son of School — Victoria Hildebrandt of McVey - fund educational scholarships. Daniel and Tracy McMonagle, attending town, daughter of Jamie and Lara Hilde - The following 23 high school seniors Penn State; and Danielle Delp, also of brandt, attending Kutztown University of were awarded scholarships from Valley Williamsburg, daughter of Durrell and Pennsylvania. REC: Dawn Delp, attending Messiah College. Two students currently enrolled in Bedford County: Tussey Mountain Fulton County: McConnellsburg High post-secondary institutions were also High School — Keirsten Brode of Dudley, School — Sara Wenschhof of Needmore, awarded scholarships from Valley REC daughter of Lori McGhee and Randy daughter of Ed and Lisa Wenschhof, for the 2014-15 academic year. They are: Brode, attending Mount Aloysius College. attending Penn State Mont Alto; Southern Crystal Collins of Huntingdon, daugh - Blair County: Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic Fulton Junior/Senior High School — Tim - ter of Elizabeth and Joseph Rolley, a 2013 High School — Matthew Keefer, son of othy Mottern of Warfordsburg, son of graduate of Huntingdon Area High Brian and Carolyn Mottern, attending School attending Moravian College; and Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics; and Nathaniel Reitman, also of Huntingdon, Electricity Reemainsmains a Good Value Electricity continues to be a bargain, especially when coomparmpared to other Madison Mellott, daughter of Thomas and son of Carol Peters and Robert Reitman, a consumer goods. As demand fforor energy riisesses and fuel prices increase, your electric cooperative is committed to providing safsafee, reliable Ronda Morton and Jeffrey Mellott, attend - 2012 graduate of Huntingdon Area High electricity and keeping yourour electric bill a a orordable. ing Shepherd University. School attending Duquesne University.

Averaagege annual price Huntingdon County: Huntingdon Valley Rural Electric is a member- increase between Area High School — Sara White of Hunt - owned cooperative providing electric serv - 2005 2013 ingdon, daughter of Jamie and Laura ice to consumers in eight counties of White, attending Carleton College; and south-central Pennsylvania, including Alex Gibboney, also of Huntingdon, son Bedford, Blair, Centre, Franklin, Fulton, of Joel and Christie Gibboney, attending Huntingdon, Juniata and Mifflin. Elizabethtown College; Juniata Valley For more information about Valley High School — Zachary Grove of Peters - Rural Electric Cooperative’s Brighter burg, son of Jim and Kim Grove, attend - Future Scholarship Program, call CofCoffeefee White Bread Milk 1 lb. ing Penn State; and Amanda Hutchison, 800-432-0680 or visit www.valleyrec.com Eggs 1 lb. loaf Gas 1 gal. Electricity 1 doz. 1 gal. also of Petersburg, daughter of David and and follow the Programs and Services 500 kWh Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; Mainstream Graphics Karen Hutchison, attending Saint Francis link to the Scholarships section. l

14d PENN LINES • AUGUST 2014