Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation invites juniors in high schools across the service area to participate in this year's Washington Youth Tour Writing Contest. MTEMC representatives are visiting local high schools to explain the program and encourage juniors to participate. It's an annual educational trip that juniors from Cannon, Rutherford, Williamson and Wilson counties have participated in and enjoyed for more than 50 years.

"The Washington Youth Tour lets students see how our government operates," said Cathy Mitchell, MTEMC's community relations coordinator, "and it gives them a deep appreciation of where we, as a nation, come from."

To participate, juniors are asked to write a short story titled "Electric Cooperatives: Powering Everyday Life". The story should be less than 900 words, typewritten and double spaced. These stories will be judged, and male and female winners will be announced from each school. Those winners will receive $100. Fifteen of these students will be selected to attend an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. from June 10 - 16, 2016. Youth Tour attendees will then compete for scholarships of $3,000, $2,000 or $1,000 awarded by the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association.

Papers should be submitted by February 15, 2016. For more information, log on to our website at www.mtemc.com or call Cathy Mitchell at 615-494-1065.