Front row from left: Marian Herrera – Broaddus HS, Melinda Clark – Hemphill, HS, Mallory Whiteside – Douglass HS, Claire Spann – Center HS, MaErika Josue – San Augustine HS, Charnette Garrett – DETEC Chaperone Back row from left: Marsha Sowell DETEC Chaperone, Kyla Price – Broaddus HS, Wyatt Hagle – Chireno HS, Clyde Collins – Hemphill HS, Kurtrick Allen – Shelbyville HS, BJ Collins – DETEC Chaperone, Willow Collins – Brookeland HS.
July 11, 2018 - 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 25th - 29th approximately 120 students attend the camp at East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, Texas. This year, 10 students from high schools in the DETEC service area were selected as delegates to attend the camp. Participants must be either a sophomore or junior and are selected on the basis of overall excellence and involvement in extracurricular activities including leadership positions, academic awards, etc.
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. Additionally, each student has a chance to compete for thousands in college scholarship funds.
Established in 1988, the mission of ETREYS is to foster positive ideas and values among young people and to enhance skills in leadership, problem-solving and interpersonal relationships. Participating cooperatives include: Bowie-Cass, Cherokee County, Deep East, Houston County, Jasper-Newton, Panola-Harrison, Rusk County, Upshur Rural and Wood County.
The 2018 Deep East Texas Electric Cooperative delegates were: MaErika Josue – San Augustine HS; Kurtrick Allen – Shelbyville HS; Melinda Clark – Hemphill HS; Kyla Price – Broaddus HS; Marian Herrera – Broaddus HS; Willow Collins – Brookeland HS; Claire Spann – Center HS; Wyatt Hagle – Chireno HS; Mallory Whiteside – Douglass HS; and Clyde Collins – Hemphill HS who attended in 2017 and was chosen to return as a Youth Director in 2018. While at the camp, the DETEC Team was voted funniest skit in the talent show, Wyatt Hagle won the Care Bear Award, Melinda Clark won the Ms. Einstein Award and the Cooperative’s $750 Scholarship, Clair Spann won Ms. Socialable and the ETREYS Founder’s $2,500 Scholarship, and Kurtrick Allen won the SW Carter $1,500 Scholarship, Titus Award and was selected as the 2019 Youth Director.
To learn more about ETREYS, contact the Cooperative at 936-229-4000.
