July 27, 2016 - Each year, Deep East Texas Electric Cooperative joins eight other east Texas cooperatives in sponsoring the East Texas Rural Electric Youth Seminar (ETREYS). On June 27th – July 1st, approximately 120 students attended the camp at East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, TX. This year, Deep East Texas was well represented by 10 students from the DETEC service area. Student delegates included: Ivonne Rodarte - Nacogdoches HS, Nathaniel Morris – Center HS, Ashley Carver – Brookeland HS, Kate Rowell – Cushing HS, Erica Barnes – Garrison HS, Carlos Johnson – San Augustine HS, Cameron Watson – Chireno HS, Ryan Russell – San Augustine HS, Emieracle Roland – San Augustine HS and returning 2015 delegate, Brock Johnson of San Augustine HS who served as the Youth Director.
While at ETREYS students participate in workshops, seminars and peer group activities that range from leadership development to pure entertainment. Speakers from all walks of life including nationally-known personalities, athletes and professional leaders take part in the daily sessions.
At this year’s youth seminar, students had a chance to meet and hear former NFL athlete, Keith Davis and the talented Isaac Tauefa. During their time on the stage, the students learned of Keith’s childhood experience with family domestic violence and drug use and how he overcame these obstacles to become successful and what it means to have a clear and defined vison for your education, life and future. Joining Keith was Isaac Tauefa. Issac played football for both the United States Air Force Academy and The University of Texas El Paso. After an injury, Isaac began pursuing his dream of becoming a renowned musician and singer. Recently, Issac was on the nation’s top musical talent show, the X Factor.
Also speaking at the camp were Co-op Advocate, Tommy Engelke whose topic was “Pardon Me, Your Image is Showing,” Eastex Federal Credit Union who gave an interactive presentation that taught the students about money management and Shannon Pickard’s session on Teen Driving Safety. Buddy Ritter was also present and gave his testimony of overcoming paralysis from polio as a child and training himself to walk again and go on to become a long distance marathon runner. While learning many valuable lessons, the students also had tons of fun competing in the Dodge Ball Tournament and Talent Show and taking dance lessons before the evening’s dance.
Additionally, while at ETREYS each student has a chance to compete for thousands in college scholarship funds. Carlos Johnson of San Augustine HS was the recipient of the DETEC ETREYS Scholarship in the amount of $500 and Nathaniel Morris of Center HS received the DETEC SW Carter Scholarship in the amount of $1,500. The SW Carter Scholarship was established by DETEC in 2014 to honor and remember long time DETEC and Tex-La Board Member, local educator and avid supporter of the youth, SW Carter. At the closing ceremonies, Nathaniel was also nominated by his peers to return to ETREYS 2017 as a Youth Director. Brock Johnson of San Augustine HS was selected in 2015 and served as an outstanding Youth Director as this year’s camp.
Participating cooperatives include: Bowie-Cass, Cherokee County, Deep East Texas, Houston County, Jasper-Newton, Panola-Harrison, Rusk County, Upshur Rural and Wood County Electric Cooperatives.
