Three Meyersdale Area High School students will be taking a “trip of a lifetime” this summer for the 2023 REC (Rural Electric Cooperative) Youth Tour! The program was suspended for several years in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, but is back and MAHS is proud to have three young ladies, Marcella Dupre, Kyley Emerick and Anna Stewart, represent our school district as delegates for the REC Youth Tour!

These students were selected through an application and interview process to attend a seven-day all-expenses-paid trip that will include stops in Gettysburg and Washington D.C. this June. Applicants were also asked to complete an essay about a moment in American history they wish they would have been able to participate in and witness. 

This special opportunity has been offered to juniors for over 50 years, courtesy of their local electric cooperative. Through this program, students have the opportunity to meet with their elected officials while learning about the impact of the cooperative movement and electric co-ops, history and politics. MAHS delegates will join approximately 1,800 students from rural communities throughout the country as they tour Gettysburg and Washington D.C., where they will visit historic sites, museums and explore Capitol Hill. 

“I am confident this is an experience our students will remember for a lifetime. We haven't recently had any students attend the REC Youth Tour, so to have three of our students selected to participate this year is an honor. These three will certainly represent MAHS well,” explained Cassie Arnold, MAHS School Counselor. 

Anna Stewart, the daughter of Lisa and Michael Stewart, said she is thrilled by this opportunity to visit Gettysburg and Washington D.C.

“I applied because the chance to go to DC and meet new people sounded really interesting. I am looking forward to seeing museums, learning something new and making new friends.”

Kyley Emerick, daughter of Joey and Matthew Emerick, said this program appealed to her because of her love and appreciation for history and government. 

“This  trip will be a great opportunity to meet new people and experience new things as well as do once in a lifetime activities. I hope to learn more about our nation's history and how our government functions,” she explained. “I am most looking forward to going into the Capitol building to meet our senator and representatives!”

Marcella Dupre, the daughter of Jan Dupre and Gary Sarver, said this program is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience she knows will impact her life in many ways. 

“This program will show me many vital pieces of our country. My biggest goal during the trip is to make new friends, learn leadership skills, discover and execute new opportunities throughout the experience, and come home with the satisfaction and gratitude that I did it,” she explained. “I am most looking forward to the people that I will be meeting because I love meeting new people and hearing their stories. Because there was an interview and selection process, I know that the people there are truly passionate about the trip and are committed and worked hard to be there.” 

These outstanding young women will embark on their adventure on June 17th with a guided tour of the Gettysburg Battlefield. The following day, they will travel to Washington D.C.

MAHS is so proud of each of these young women!