COUNTY News:

Los Alamos students who would like to compete for a sponsorship to a youth rally this summer only have a couple of weeks left to turn in their essays.

The Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities (DPU) is conducting an essay contest for high school students as part of an effort organized by Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems (UAMPS). A local student may receive a sponsorship to attend a week-long summer leadership rally in Idaho called the ICUA Youth Rally.

UAMPS will select 10 students from among its member organizations to send to the rally. DPU is a member of UAMPS so high school sophomores, juniors and seniors whose parents or guardians are customers of DPU are eligible for the UAMPS sponsorships. The contest is targeted at students who desire to learn more about the electric utility industry and who plan to attend a post-secondary educational institution.

Organized by the Idaho Consumer Owned Utilities Association, the ICUA Youth Rally is from July 11-16 at the College of Idaho. Participants will learn about government, consumer-owned utilities and the energy industry. Additionally, they will swim, play volleyball, attend dances, eat good food and make new friends. ICUA may award scholarships to rally attendees.

To enter the contest, students should interpret one or more aspects of the theme “Consumer-Owned Utilities: Good for All of Us” in 500 to 750 words. DPU’s panel of judges will look for originality and the relevance of the theme to the writer and DPU. The top essay will be forwarded to UAMPS for consideration for a sponsorship to cover expenses to attend the ICUA Youth Rally.

DPU will accept essays until April 25, 2022. UAMPS will announce its sponsorship recipients by May 20, 2022. For more information and guidelines about this opportunity, visit ladpu.com/YouthRally.